KUALA LUMPUR – There is no need to draft or introduce new legislation such as the Anti-Racial Discrimination (ARD) Act to address racial issues at this time, said Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, who said that it is sufficient to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws.
The national unity minister said the current laws are adequate to ensure that inter-racial relations are maintained.
“In this regard, transparent and fair enforcement, irrespective of ethnic background, religion, or social class, is crucial to ensure harmony is preserved.
“However, if circumstances require and the government believes that existing laws should be reviewed to curb certain forms of hate speech or provocative actions that could divide society with racial sentiment, the ministry will fully support such intentions,” he said.
Aaron made this statement in response to a question from Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) on whether the government intends to draft an ARD Act to combat the escalating racial incidents among political party leaders and individuals with extremist and racial views, during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Yesterday, Guan Eng, who is also the chairman of DAP, called for the drafting of the ARD Act to control and take action against those deliberately inciting racial hatred and extremist actions targeting any community purely based on race or background.
According to Guan Eng, the ARD Act is important to stop both irresponsible individuals and politicians from engaging in hate speech or displaying racial hatred in any form.
This follows an incident involving a corn vendor in Sepang who refused to sell corn to the Indian community and placed a racially charged notice on the table to sell roasted corn.
Further commenting, Aaron stated that there are about 10 existing legal provisions to curb racial issues, including the Penal Code, the Printing Press and Publications Act 1984, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Sedition Act 1948.
He said anyone who deliberately engages in any act, incites or makes statements that threaten racial and religious unity can be investigated or prosecuted under the relevant laws.
Regarding the corn vendor incident, Aaron said his ministry had mobilised members of the Neighbourhood Watch (KRT) as mediators to resolve the issue, and an apology session was held at a restaurant, attended by representatives from the Indian community, influencers, residents, the Ministry of National Unity and Integration, and the police.
Asked about legal action against the individual involved, Aaron explained that his ministry uses a reform approach to resolve such matters.
“That’s why under the National Unity Ministry, we have KRT, and we also have 571 community mediators. This case had not reached the mediators, but at the KRT level, it was resolved with the cooperation of the police. In the end, a process of mutual understanding and an apology session took place, and we consider this case closed,” he said. – February 18, 2025