PM orders 'strong action' against those who incite hatred

Summary

• PM Anwar Ibrahim orders enforcement agencies to act sternly against those who incite hatred in the country.

• Order being given not for popularity, but to prevent civil unrest, like what happened in the past, Anwar adds.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim this afternoon instructed law enforcement agencies to take strong action against those who incite hatred in the country.

In his speech at a civil service assembly in Putrajaya, the prime minister cited recent incidents that revolved around the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir in Sabah and Jalur Gemilang blunders.

He said these issues had been used by certain quarters as agendas to heighten political sentiments by undermining and punishing others without being based on truth and facts.

"So today, I am not issuing a warning. I am not reprimanding.

"Today I want to say that, for the sake of saving this country, taking strong action is a must and compulsory.

"If there are those who have the responsibility (to take action), feel that they are not ready for this, let me know, we will replace them with people who have principles and the bravery to act," Anwar said.

He was speaking at the civil servants’ assembly held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

Preventing civil unrest

The prime minister stressed that authorities must take action against those responsible for fanning the fire, regardless of their status and position.

Anwar said he is giving the order now, not for popularity but to prevent civil unrest like what had happened in the past.

"This is about saving this country. We have learned from experience. The seeds of disunity and racial riots can begin with minor issues.

"Today it may start with the flag issue, before this (problems) started, perhaps because of fake news.

"We cannot allow this," he said.

Heightened public tension

Anwar's instruction came amid heightened public tension over a recent flag blunder, after a hardware store owner in Penang was caught on video hanging a Jalur Gemilang upside down.

It led to a protest in Kepala Batas, Penang, yesterday which saw over 300 people, including Umno and Bersatu youth wings’ members, rallying in front of the store to "educate" its owner on how to put up a Jalur Gemilang properly.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh was one of the political figures who had been constantly speaking out against the desecration of the national flag, including through racially laced statements on Facebook.

Zara, on the other hand, was found unconscious in a drain below her school dormitory in Papar on July 16 and died the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu.

Her family believes bullying may have played a role.

Her death has sparked various conspiracies, including a purported cover-up.

It saw incidents of alleged fake news being circulated online, including accusations that Zara's death was perpetrated by individuals linked to certain influential and political figures, who had since denied the allegations.

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