Set up RCI to probe racist GE15 campaigns, govt told

 

Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan urged the government to set up a special fund to promote local films that inspired national unity. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) has urged the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate offences involving racial sentiments committed during the campaign period for the 15th general election (GE15).

He said some GE15 candidates spoke out of line and “without thinking” just to garner support.

“With the allocations in the budget, is the government planning to set up an RCI to investigate this?” he said while debating the 2023 budget at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat.

He said it would be appropriate for the government to do so, citing instances where candidates on election campaign trails made statements that were slanderous and inappropriate.

In November, FMT reported that a youth initiative took to task four election candidates for playing up racial and religious sentiments while campaigning on social media.

#KamiNampak named PAS’ Siti Zailah Yusoff, DAP’s V Ganabatirau, Gerakan Tanah Air’s Fazli Mohammad and Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s Priscilla Lau.

Kedah Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Sanusi Nor was also accused of resorting to racially-charged rhetoric while campaigning for the coalition’s candidate in Padang Serai.

The police also probed statements made by Sik PAS Youth chief Shahiful Nasir and actor Zul Huzaimy.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli filed a report against Shahiful, who was reported as saying that anyone who voted for Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional in the general election would go to hell.

He also filed a report against Zul for criminal intimidation and intent to incite for allegedly saying he wanted to slaughter “kafir harbi” (enemies of Islam).

Zul has since apologised for his remarks made in Terengganu on Nov 4, which were captured on a widely-shared video clip.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Shahiful had applied for leave from his duties as well as all other party positions. He said his application was made voluntarily and he took full responsibility for what happened.

Separately, Aminolhuda urged the government to set up a special fund to promote local films that inspired national unity.

He said that films had the power to inspire unity among both adults and children, giving the examples of films like “Muallaf” and “Talentime”, which were directed by the late Yasmin Ahmad.

In the recent federal budget, the government proposed tax cuts for contributions to the Community Film and National Film Development Fund under Finas. It also allocated RM50 million for unity programmes. - FMT