Enforcement, not new legislation needed to protect unity

ENFORCEMENT of existing laws and not new legislation is needed to protect unity and harmony in the country, said Deputy National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.

“What we need at the moment is not additional laws, but enforcement, implementation and the raising of awareness,” he told Datuk Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) during Question Time.

Jalaluddin had asked whether there were sufficient laws to protect the harmony and the unity among the people.

Ti said irresponsible parties who tried to cause disunity and statements which cause public disorder could be investigated and charged under several laws.

These include the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the Penal Code and the Sedition Act 1948, he said.

Ti said enforcement would ensure the public respected the law.

“The government should strengthen and increase enforcement and impose fair punishment on individuals who deliberately tried to destroy the unity enjoyed by the public by exploiting racial and religious emotions.

“This will open the eyes of the people on the firmness of the government and at the same time, educate the public to respect the law,” he said.

He said the government should also raise awareness through campaigns to instil the spirit of unity and change the public perception to respect and uphold the law.

“The campaign information should be disseminated to targeted groups, including students, undergraduates, non-governmental organisations and civil societies to help improve such practices and create stronger racial ties with one another,” he added.

Education is also important to improve the understanding of the law and to ensure that the public will uphold and be able to instil the spirit of unity, he said.