National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang said his ministry will be working with the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia to examine and propose a Harmony Charter.
The charter will act as a guide to build a peaceful and harmonious nation in line with the Malaysia Madani concept, he said.
“I would like to emphasise that there will be absolutely no compromise with any party that provokes racial polemics and touches on religious sensitivities that threaten the harmony and unity of the people.
“In this matter, we should always respect and support Article 3 of the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara as ingredients of national unity,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He reminded Malaysians to be careful in issuing expressions that touch on religious and racial sensitivities.
Such actions are an offence under Section 298A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, he warned.
Section 298A of the Penal Code penalises a person who causes disunity or feelings of prejudice on the grounds of religion.
Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act stipulates offences of using network facilities to transmit communication deemed to be offensive or could annoy another person.
No disunity
Yesterday morning, when asked about the Allah socks controversy, Aaron declined to comment.
“That is not Mitra (Indian Transformation Unit), my issue today is Mitra,” he said when met in Putrajaya after launching a two-day roadmap workshop on the unit.
Pressed for a comment, he replied: “Sorry, sorry, please. We are the National Unity (Ministry), and we do not want disunity. We want unity.”
He added that he would leave the matter to the Home Ministry to handle.
Aaron further expressed support for Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s call for the authorities to take action on the matter of Miranosock socks bearing the word Allah sold at convenience store chain KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway outlet.
“I also fully support the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the authorities to take firm action, including imposing severe punishment on the guilty party so that it becomes a lesson to others.
“Let us together create a peaceful, harmonious, and tolerant society in this country,” he said.
‘Sock-gate’
Last week, images of the socks went viral, leading to KK Mart issuing an apology for the oversight to its customers and the Muslim community, in particular. They have also stopped selling the product.
Police have confirmed they are probing KK Mart under two sections, namely Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity, or enmity on religious grounds, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper network facility use or service.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh called for boycotts of KK Mart while Amanah Youth communications director Asim Abdullah Ainullotfi urged the government to strengthen laws related to the protection of religious sensitivities, including in the field of business.
At the same time, non-Malay leaders such as Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii, and MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon have called for a de-escalation of the matter. - Mkini
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