Take comprehensive measures to prevent racial and religious conflicts

Part of the speech by DAP National Deputy Chairman, FT Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw at the DAP FT Ordinary Convention on 3.10.2010

The Federal Government must take more comprehensive and dynamic measures to prevent racial and religious conflicts, such as by taking truly fair and justifiable action against anyone who incites racial or religious resentment.

Since the March 8, 2009 general elections, we have witnessed a serious of racial religious issues. The general perception is that the Government is not seen to be truly fair.

In the use of the word Allah by non-Muslims in the Peninsula, the talk of substituting it with Yaweh adds to the unhappiness. The Government would have to show that it takes everything into consideration regarding this sensitive matter.

Statements by such organizations as Perkasa have given rise to various reactions. The Government seems to be unmoved.

Recently, media reports on one headmaster in Kedah and Johore respectively, spewing racial language. Similarly, a deputy director of Biro Tatanegara is reputed to have done a similar thing. The Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says that he has no power to deal with the alleged action of the two headmasters. Then, the Chief Secretary stresses that the Government does not compromise on such type of cases.

Let us have a full report of the investigation on the three cases as soon as possible. If there is evidence of an offence, the Government should let us know what punitive action it has taken.

On all sensitive racial and religious matters, the Government should not sit idly by.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw