Melaka to tackle spread of racist remarks

MELAKA:

A motion to prevent the spread of derogatory and racist remarks within cyberspace will be tabled in the state legislative assembly, state Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wong Fort Pin said.

He said the motion would be tabled during the state assembly sitting on March 15.

“Melaka should be the benchmark in promoting racial harmony as the state has been a melting pot of multi-ethnic inhabitants since the Melaka Sultanate.

“The motion to preserve our unity is set to be debated when it is tabled,” he said in an interview.

He said the motion, among others would include recognising the need to quell “hate and fear” through social media postings, setting up a committee to study how the state government could eliminate racism and religious discriminative postings and the legal aspects on taking stern action against those creating disharmony in social media.

Dr Wong said the motion aimed to address intolerance and discrimination against the local populace.

“Melaka will also be the first state to put in place punitive actions against those posting hate messages, if the motion is passed,” he said.

Dr Wong also had said in the past that the message of racial unity is always important to ensure that the country always remain harmonious.