M’sians urged to boost unity, avoid fanning 3R issues

JOHOR BARU: Malaysians have been urged to play a role in strengthening unity among the races and avoid playing up issues related to 3R (race, religion and royalty), say a minister and a Johor exco member.

In a joint statement, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (religious affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and Johor Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said several recent incidents have affected the nation’s harmony.

It added the government viewed seriously the incidents involving the sensitivity of Muslims and which had also affected the harmony of people of various races and religious faiths.

The incidents began with the sale of socks printed with the word “Allah”; shoes with a logo allegedly resembling the word “Allah”, and now prayer mats that were mistaken for floor mats.

“We are concerned as the incidents have affected the harmony of the people of various races and backgrounds,” the statement said yesterday.

As such, the government called on the people of all races and religious faiths to uphold the decree by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on the importance of maintaining unity among the races and to refrain from playing up 3R issues, the statement said.

It said in this spirit, the government has taken steps to cool down the temperatures. Among them was the efforts taken by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) to investigate those involved in the socks and shoe incidents on March 18 and April 8.

“The police have also taken action against those involved,” the statement said, adding that the government would not compromise on anyone who tries to take advantage of such issues in the future.

Meanwhile, the statement said the Johor government has formed an action committee to deal with matters related to the misuse of the word Allah.

“All trade associations and chambers of commerce and industry groups should give their commitment to ensure that there will be no repeat of such incidents.

“Awareness campaigns by the federal and state government on the importance of maintaining harmony among the multiracial community should be increased, while ensuring that all enforcement agencies continue to carry out monitoring activities,” the statement said.