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KUALA LUMPUR – A PKR lawmaker has proposed the enactment of a specific law to regulate hate crimes, amid a rise in racial and religious rhetoric as well as accusatory statements by certain politicians meant to incite hatred towards the newly formed government.
Taking particular aim at Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its component party PAS, PKR communications director Lee Chean Chung said an anti-hate act is necessary to address the escalation of hate speech.
“Do I agree with such actions? No. In our attempt to ensure our politicians can focus on their core duties, which are to uplift the economy and the welfare of the rakyat, and not to continue to be mired in politics of sentiment, I support the introduction of an anti-hate act as implemented by several other countries.
“This can be used against any political figures from any party, regardless (if it is) PAS, DAP, Umno, PKR or Bersatu,” he said in a statement today.
“Action will be taken against these individuals for issuing statements without basis to incite hatred... We should hold politicians accountable to work hard for the public and focus on the people’s economic issues, not become experts in spreading false sentiments.”
Lee, who is also Petaling Jaya MP, said while it is common for a government to be criticised by the public and opposition, accusations that the unity government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are Israeli agents, freemasons, or anti-Islam communists are overboard.
He noted that while these attacks had started months ahead of the election, they have been aggravated since the dissolution of Parliament.
“After PN and PAS were unable to form the government, their modus operandi continued, and is getting too much,” he said, adding that these accusations were being hurled in a bid to influence voters.
“Imagine if PN and PAS had formed the government, all this slander would suddenly disappear. This (politics of sentiment) is being used to cover the eyes of certain voters from focusing on core issues like employment, the people’s economy, cost of living, education, and health.”
Lee also expressed his bemusement that such sentiments were being whipped up by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang himself, saying this was nothing more than an attempt to fortify support for his party. – The Vibes, November 30, 2022