The government is being urged to come up with new and more specific laws to deal with 3R-related offenses (race, religion, and the royal institution) so these issues can be handled more effectively.
Principal Fellow of the Institute of Ethnic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Datuk Dr. Teo Kok Seong pointed out that the country is still relying on old laws that have been around for a long time, but there aren’t any specific provisions that directly address 3R cases.
Principal Fellow of the Institute of Ethnic Studies, Datuk Dr. Teo Kok Seong
“We need new laws”
In an interview with Sinar Harian, Kok Seong explained that the current laws being used include the Sedition Act 1948, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Penal Code.
“I think we need new laws because 3R offenses were only recently introduced as specific offenses by the government. But right now, we’re still relying on existing laws to deal with them, and that might not be enough,” he said.
He also pointed out that some cases of religious tension are sparked by Malaysians living overseas, and there’s even a chance that foreigners are involved.
“This makes people wonder if our current laws can really handle things that happen outside the country. While they might still apply, it’s not that simple. If the government comes up with a more specific law that covers every detail, I think it would be a much better and more effective way to deal with this issue,” he added.
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“Citizenship can only be revoked if a new law is made”
Meanwhile, lawyer Siti Farah Farhana Ahmad Fathi said that taking away the citizenship of people who insult religion and then flee or live abroad can only happen if a specific law is introduced.
Right now, she explained, no law allows citizenship to be revoked just for insulting religion.
“If the government thinks it’s necessary, they could look into making such a law. But deciding on such a harsh punishment would likely consider our multiracial society and the importance of keeping public order,” she told Sinar Harian.
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People believe being overseas makes them “untouchable”
Previously, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin called on the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) to strip the citizenship of a person accused of insulting Islam and making obscene remarks in a viral video.
The Larut MP said this would be the right move to stop people from thinking they’re “untouchable while overseas.”
But Siti Farah pointed out that, under the Federal Constitution, citizenship is a guaranteed right.
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