DAP chairperson Karpal Singh has questioned the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ inaction against several civil servants who have uttered alleged racist remarks.

Commenting on news report of an apology by a secondary school principal in Bukit Selambau over derogatory remarks made against non-Muslim students, Karpal said that principle concerned was part of a trend.

“This is not the first time that racist remarks have been made against non-Muslims in the country. This is a phenomenon which, of late, appears to have gained momentum in the country,” he said.

NONE Karpal ( right ) cites the case of former special officer in the Prime Minister's Department Nasir Safar and the case of the headmistress in Kulai, Johor, who uttered derogatory remarks against ethnic Chinese and Indians.

In both case, it appeared that no punitive measures had been taken against Nasir and the two principals thus far.

“What is surprising is that no positive action has been taken against the culprits. The attorney-general seems to condone what has been something which requires prosecution in a court of law.

“Apologies and transfers are far from adequate. They are not deterrent enough to stop would-be offenders of like ilk,” added Karpal in a statement.

Breaking ranks from his party’s firm position against the use of the Sedition Act, Karpal suggested that the attorney-general could charge those uttering racial remarks under Section 4 (1) (b) of the law.

The law defines sedition to include words which have a seditious tendency to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Malaysia. The law also carries a fine not exceeding RM3,000, up to three years jail or both.

“The time has come for the attorney-general to spring into action so that a clear message can be sent out to those who brazenly hurt the feelings of others in the country.

“The public interest demands immediate action before the situation gets out of hand. The sensitivities of non-Muslims must be given the highest premium,” he added.