Watch what you do and say, warns Nazri

Any quarters or individuals who make statements which touch on the sensitivities of other races and religions must bear the consequences when the action is reported to the authorities.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz said giving the excuse of the statements being misinterpreted was unacceptable.

"We cannot accept 'misinterpretation' as an excuse. What matters about the things we saw is public perception. So, when we speak, we have to be very careful not to let our message be misinterpreted.

"I hate it when they say their statements have been misinterpreted. This is wrong," he told reporters after presenting Aidilfitri aid to 300 recipients in the Padang Rengas constituency in Lubuk Merbau, in Kuala Kangsar today.

He said to ensure that racial sensitivities would not be manipulated, the government, through the Cabinet Committee on Law Enforcement, would monitor each issue that arose.

Mohamed Nazri said the government would not compromise with any quarters who were trying to create disharmony in the country.

"We (the government) cannot compromise on racial issues, whether it involves the majority or the minorities. I will ensure that any police report made will be investigated and when completed, be handed over to the attorney-general.

"I will also monitor that if there is a case, those responsible will be charged in court soonest possible."

No double standards

He said the committee, which he chairs, also comprised Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim, inspector-general of police Musa Hassan and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail.

"Our second meeting was held on Thursday and we had decided to monitor cases with have social impact, involving 'big fish' and public interest," he said.

    

He said other issues discussed at the meeting were those involving a school principal in Johor who was alleged to have made a racist remark and the four teenagers who splashed red paint and threw liquor bottle at a surau in Negeri Sembilan.

The minister, however, refuted the allegation that the government only took stern action if the cases involved the Malays, saying that action would be taken based on the offences, regardless of race.

- Bernama