ON Wednesday, Swedish police said they had opened an investigation over “agitation against an ethnic group” against Salwan Momika, 37, who stomped on the Quran and set several pages alight in front of the Swedish capital’s largest mosque. 

In “Sweden must do more to combat hate crime”, I wrote of two provisions in the Swedish legislation that are almost never used against hate crime perpetrators – that is, unlawful discrimination and agitation against a national or ethnic group.

The stomping and burning sparked outrage and condemnation. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, instead, called for reflection. 

“It is difficult to say what the consequences will be. I think there are many people who have reason to reflect,” Kristersson reportedly told a press conference.

Perhaps the Swedish premier should reflect on whether his government should be doing more in combating hate crimes and evaluate why the country’s legislation on hate crimes is so seldom used. 

As urged by Malaysia, the Swedish government must put a stop to such provocative acts and bring the perpetrators to justice. – July 2, 2023.  

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight. 

* 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.