National Unity Ministry to study effectiveness of existing 3R, hate speech laws

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 7 — The National Unity Ministry, through the Unity Issues Management Committee (JPIP), will undertake a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of existing legal provisions and enforcement mechanisms in addressing issues related to religion, royalty and race (3R), as well as hate speech.

In a statement today, the ministry said the matters to be reviewed included the definitions of 3R and hate speech, jurisdictional scope, overlapping legal provisions and the effectiveness of enforcement actions under existing laws.

The committee will be co-chaired by National Unity Ministry secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, and Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) director-general at the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zamri Misman.

“The ministry acknowledges that various legal provisions are already in place to address issues related to 3R, hate speech and social harmony.

“These include the Sedition Act 1948, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, as well as relevant provisions under the Penal Code which fall under the purview of the Home Ministry and the Communications Ministry,” the statement read.

The ministry said the prohibition against discrimination is already provided for under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, which serves as the country’s supreme law.

Therefore, it said any proposal to establish an additional institution or introduce new legislation must be assessed comprehensively to avoid overlapping functions, jurisdictions and enforcement mechanisms.

“The ministry is of the view that the main challenge is not the absence of legal provisions on 3R issues, but ensuring the firm and consistent enforcement of existing provisions,” the statement read.

It therefore said the government, through a cross-agency approach, needed to comprehensively review the effectiveness of existing enforcement mechanisms, including identifying weaknesses, gaps and constraints in the enforcement process, and strengthen the relevant mechanisms.

In addition, the ministry said it would hold further discussions with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to ensure greater clarity on roles and more effective coordination in addressing issues concerning social harmony.

“The ministry will also propose to Suhakam the appointment of a Harmony Commissioner to focus specifically on monitoring and advocating for social harmony from a human rights perspective,” it said.

The statement said the ministry, through the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN), would also develop an Action Plan to Strengthen the National Social Harmony Ecosystem, integrating prevention, early intervention, mediation, enforcement and monitoring in a more structured and cohesive manner. — Bernama