PM: Academics can talk about 3R but not incite hate

The government does not stop scholars or academics from talking about religion, race, and royalty (3R) issues, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

However, he said there needs to be a limit so that people are not incited to hate each other or use religion to “dominate” others.

Anwar said he has stressed this matter with Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.

“A scholar from a university is not told to be a Pak Turut (yes man). (They) must be free to speak and this is what we emphasise in this country.

“This is what I emphasised to the higher education minister. If anyone talks about the 3Rs, there will only be a restriction when the statements are extreme, inciting people to hate each other, (or) using religion to label people as infidels, non-believers.”

Anwar said these types of inciting elements could give a wrong message to the people - including instigating war against those branded as “infidels”.

He said this during a memorial event for academician and former PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali held at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar speaks on Syed Husin

Commenting on the late Syed Husin, Anwar expressed his admiration for his friend and teacher in politics, who was also a founding member of PKR.

“As long as there is an opportunity, he (Syed Husin) never talked about his interests, only on how this has not been done, that has not been done (for others).

“When we were in power in the Selangor government, there was an opportunity to appoint a senator, an opportunity for him... (but) he refused,” he said.

In appreciation of Syed Husin’s services to the country, Anwar requested Universiti Malaya to establish a Syed Husin chair.

He asked the university to discuss with the late politician’s family on the establishment of such a chair.

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