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The Star
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
No need for more laws to curb offensive remarks
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to introduce new laws to address those who utter offensive remarks in public, as there are enough mechanisms at present to deal with such cases, says National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (pic). 'Anyone who intentionally commits any act, incites or issues any statements that threatens racial and religious unity, may be investigated and prosecuted (under existing laws),' he said. He cited laws that could be enforced under the Home Ministry and the Communications Ministry, namely the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Sedition Act, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act. 'The ministry is of the view that there is no need to create a new law on this,' he said during Question Time in Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Between 2023 and July this year, Aaron said the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had identified 11,967 content that were 3R-related (religion, race and royalty). 'Out of that amount, a total of 7,673 items have been taken down,' he said . Aaron said the prerogative to take action on 3R content would come under the Communications Ministry through the MCMC. 'While the National Unity Ministry does not have direct enforcement powers, we play an important role through a reformative approach, intervention, mediation and awareness to address sensitive issues involving religion, race and statements filled with hatred,' he added. Aaron said his ministry was monitoring 3R statements through the National Community Complaints Network System (Rakan), where complaints would be channelled to the relevant enforcement authorities for immediate action. Besides that, Aaron said the ministry had a Unity Issue Management Committee which covers 12 ministries and agencies to coordinate action on issues that could affect unity. 'There is also the 'Cakap Baik-Baik' campaign, which aims to educate the people to be more courteous when communicating online,' he added.
New Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Laws adequate to check offensive speech, says Aaron
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to introduce new laws to restrict public offensive remarks, says National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. Aaron said it was sufficient to enhance enforcement of existing laws under the Home Ministry, the Communications Ministry, the police, and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). "The ministry is of the view that there is no need to enact or introduce new laws to restrict offensive speech at this time, and that it is sufficient to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws by the Home Ministry, the Communications Ministry, the police, and MCMC. "Anyone who deliberately commits an act, provokes, or makes any statement that threatens racial or religious unity can be investigated and prosecuted. "Several Acts have already been enacted and enforced under the Home Ministry and the Ministry of Communications, including the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Sedition Act, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act," he said in the Dewan Rakyat. He was responding to Muhammad Ismi Mat Taib (PN-Parit), who asked about the ministry's efforts to address racial sentiments and religious extremism on social media, as well as monitoring outcomes for the first half of 2025. Aaron said monitoring and enforcement of issues involving religion, royalty and race (commonly referred to as 3R issues) on social media fall under the jurisdiction of the MCMC. He said from 2023 to July 2025, MCMC had reportedly removed 11,967 pieces of 3R-related content, where 7,673 pieces of content were successfully taken down by platform providers. He said that although the ministry does not have direct enforcement power, it plays a key role through a reformative approach involving intervention, mediation and awareness to address sensitive issues related to religion, race, and hate speech. Aaron said his ministry was monitoring 3R statements through the National Community Complaints Network System (Rakan), where complaints will be channelled to the relevant enforcement authorities for immediate action. He added that the ministry has a Unity Issue Management Committee covering 12 Ministries and agencies to coordinate immediate action on issues affecting unity. "The ministry also developed a unity analysis dashboard on a digital board to identify high-risk hotspots for racial or religious tensions. "This information is used to plan and implement targeted intervention programs in the community," he said. Aaron also added that they had implemented the "Cakap baik-baik" campaign, which aims at educating the community to be more courteous when communicating online. He said the ministry had also successfully resolved several incidents through the reform approach, including a controversial incident in February this year where a corn seller was fined for displaying a sign insulting the Indian community. "The issue was mediated by two Rukun Tetangga leaders, who acted as middlemen in reducing tensions," added Aaron.
