Low Yat incident proves need for National Harmony Act, minister says

KUALA LUMPUR — The recent brawl at Low Yat Plaza is a clear indication that a specific law governing racial and religious hatred is a necessary addition to Malaysia’s law books, unity minister Joseph Kurup said today (July 21).

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the new Act, which was previously shelved along with plans to repeal the Sedition Act, would help preserve harmony among the country’s many ethnic communities.

Mr Kurup also revealed that plans to enact the law are still in the pipeline, and said a National Harmony Bill is currently in the “discussion and engagement process” .

“This new Bill will give focus to several important elements like prevention, education, moderation, harmony and rehabilitation,” he said in his speech during a walkabout at the tech mall this morning.

“If we let this situation persist, the intolerance habit will start growing. This can potentially disrupt the peace, harmony, religious tolerance and political stability that we have been enjoying so far,” the minister added.

The trio of proposed laws under the ambit of the National Harmony Bill were drafted as possible replacements for the Sedition Act that Putrajaya previously pledged to repeal, but which it later decided to retain and reinforce.

The July 12 riot at Low Yat Plaza occurred after a 22-year-old man was reportedly handed to the police for allegedly stealing a mobile phone, after which his accomplice contacted their friends who then assaulted workers from a mobile phone store and caused an estimated RM70,000 (S$25,200) in damages.

The incident that left five people hurt caused some observers to draw parallels with the deadly race riots of May 13, 1969. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE