Malaysian-Indian politician wants Race Relations Act to be implemented to fight racism

KUALA LUMPUR - The DAP chairman, Karpal Singh, has said that the proposed ‘Race Relations Act’ is the best way to prevent racist remarks from being uttered by irresponsible individuals in Malaysia.

The Act was proposed in 2008. In February 2009, however, the then Deputy Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Teng Boon Soon told Parliament that the Cabinet would not pursue the Act as race relations had not reached a critical stage.

Singh urged the government to support the move and implement the proposed Act to combat racism.

“Solutions have to be found. I hope that the federal government will support the move,” The Star quoted Singh, as saying.

Referring to a number of incidents involving racist remarks, with the latest being a police inspector from Kuala Lumpur, who allegedly told a snatch theft victim to “balik China” (return to China) if she could not converse in Bahasa Malaysia, he said that these issues have not been properly take care of by the government.

“The Government says that the Sedition Act is there and it is sufficient; but so far, it appears to only be used against the Opposition. All investigations involving racial remarks and slurs should be across the board. No one should be given protection,” he added. (ANI)