THE bill on the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission to tackle racial issues will not be continued, Dewan Rakyat was told today.

National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique said the existing laws are adequate to tackle issues linked to religion and race.

She said most of the functions proposed in the bill overlapped with existing laws and regulations.

“Due to the many overlapping functions, the government decided that it has no intention to formulate another new law (bill on the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission) said to be fair and complete because the existing acts are adequate.

“The country already has enough laws to look after inter-racial and religious harmony. Those who deliberately disrupt unity and harmony can be investigated and charged under the acts,” she said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks to the address of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the ministry in Dewan Rakyat today.

Among the existing regulations were the Sedition Act, Section 504, Section 505 and Section 506 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

The roles and functions proposed in the bill will be coordinated and used as an implementation mechanism under the National Unity Advisory Council (MPPN), she said.

Meanwhile, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebration of Rukun Negara, she urged all to appreciate and practise all the principles in daily life.

“If support alone is not enough, we need to learn it by heart and participate by practising it through our behaviour and conversation,” he said.

The Dewan Rakyat session continues tomorrow. – Bernama, August 5, 2020.