KUALA LUMPUR: A special unit will be established to address race, religion, and royalty (3R) concerns during the upcoming state elections and Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, according to Fahmi Fadzil.
“We need a unit to ensure that throughout the state elections and the Kuala Terengganu by-election, no parties exploit 3R issues for political gain,” said the Communications and Digital Minister.
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He emphasized the need to avoid division caused by racial sentiments, extreme religious statements, disregard for the royal institution, or incitement of disrespect for it.
Fahmi made this announcement after the national-level Maal Hijrah celebration on July 19.
The decision to establish the unit followed a meeting on July 18 between Fahmi, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, and representatives from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and social media platforms such as TikTok.
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Concerns have been raised against the exploitation of 3R issues, particularly during the upcoming state elections.
Caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor appeared in the Sessions Courts in Selangor on July 18, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts under the Sedition Act 1948 for a political speech in Selayang on July 11.
He was charged with uttering words that could incite disloyalty toward the rulers.
On the same day, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said announced that discussions will be held on July 21 to assess existing laws and consider the need for new legislation to tackle 3R matters.
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The Election Commission (EC) has set July 29 as the nomination day and August 12 as the polling day for the state elections in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
The Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election will be held concurrently.
The seat became vacant after the Terengganu Election Court nullified the victory of Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim of PAS on June 27. PAS chose not to appeal and opted for a by-election instead.
The coordination of the unit to monitor 3R issues during the polls will involve the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, MCMC, Bukit Aman, and social media platform providers.
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Fahmi clarified that the unit aims to prevent incidents causing disunity and social unrest, rather than suppressing academic discussions on 3R issues.
“We allow freedom of expression, but we must not slander or divide the people through the exploitation of 3R issues,” he stated.
The relevant authorities will take necessary action against those who violate the law to ensure public safety and security.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
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