In a move to calm anxieties over the bills mooted to replace the Sedition Act, the home minister today said he is certain that the new law will safeguard sensitive matters like race, religion and culture.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also assured that the government will place priority on the content of the bills, and urged all to not be concerned over the name.

"The name is not imporant. What's important is the content of the harmony bills.

"What we are discussing is the need to include clauses, which safeguard sensitive matters including religion, race and culture.

"This element should be paramount in the harmony bills. These three things will not be neglected just because the Sedition Act is replaced,” Zahid (right) said at a press conference this evening.

He was asked on protests against the planned repeal of the Sedition Act at the Home Ministry's breaking of fast event at Shah Alam.

Follow the PM

Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, urged all to respect the prime minister's decision to introduce the harmony bills.

Asked of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's view that chaos will reign if the Sedition Act is repealed, he said: “I adhere to the leadership's decision.”

NGOs representing Malays and Muslims have raised concern over the new bills, which among others criminalises bigotry.

The bills, mooted by the National Unity Consultative Council, would also require the goverment to justify ethnic-based affirmative action.

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