IN the ever-changing and fragile post-pandemic era, our country is facing many challenges and problems such as climate change, economic downturn and wealth disparity.

To resolve these problems, we should work together as a nation and help the country return to the right track.

However, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) members of parliament have been abusing parliamentary privileges by making irresponsible statements to gain cheap popularity and influence the upcoming six state elections.

For instance, they have distorted the good intentions of the Local Government Development Ministry in seeking advice from Singapore’s Housing and Development Board as a betrayal of sovereignty, and the latest was Maran MP Ismail Abd Muttalib challenging the legality of Chinese new village status and citizenship rights, among others.

In light of this, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul must refer these irresponsible MPs to the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges.

Extreme racial and religious ideologies are dangerous and can incite hatred, violence and discrimination against specific ethnic groups.

The PN MPs continuously stir up grassroots hatred towards other ethnicities, beliefs and cultures, creating social conflict.

The negative impact of this extremist discourse is not limited to the victimised side but also affects the entire society, leading to violence and tension when extremism spreads, causing people to distrust and oppose each other.

Similarly, it can also make people of different ethnicities and beliefs more isolated and vulnerable, causing greater social division.

We must do our utmost to combat extremist racial and religious ideologies and strive to build an inclusive and harmonious society.

We should respect the cultural, religious and value systems of different ethnic groups and oppose all forms of discrimination and oppression.

This requires promoting dialogue, education and awareness-raising initiatives to foster respect for different cultures, beliefs and values.

A mature society should encourage people to face different opinions and viewpoints with tolerance and understanding, resolving disagreements and conflicts peacefully. – April 14, 2023.

* Chiong Yoke Kong is political secretary to local government development minister.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.