COMMUNICATIONS and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will assess the necessity of establishing a special unit to investigate the playing up of 3R (race, religion, and royalty) issues during election campaigning. 

He said information presented by the Centre of Independent Journalism on the last general election (GE15) showing the huge number of 3R issues that got played up in a short period of time was extremely worrying. 

“That’s why I do believe MCMC and PDRM will have to assess the necessity to perhaps set up a special unit… the kind of desperado politics that employ 3R during the campaign cannot be allowed to persist,” he said to reporters after launching the Global Conference on Communication, Culture and Contemporary Media 2023 today. 

Fahmi also expressed his disappointment with the actions of some politicians who are using 3R materials in their campaign, despite the decree by Malay rulers that political campaigns should not touch on 3R matters. 

He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain have also reminded everyone to refrain from 3R sensitivities when campaigning.

When asked on Legal and Institutional Reform Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said’s suggestion to enact legislation imposing civil penalties on those who played up 3R sentiments, Fahmi said he welcomed that. 

Regarding the grocery bill infographic released by the Community Communications Department that had been heavily criticised, Fahmi said he had spoken to the department’s director-general about it, and it would be better coordinated in future. 

Fahmi said he asked the department to make sure content being put out was properly checked to depict the aims of the respective ministries. 

“I have checked with both J-Kom as well as Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and ascertained that the numbers that are presented in the said graphics are correct, factually correct but the complaint was that it was tone-deaf. 

“I agree, I think J-Kom perhaps needs to view some of its modus operandi and focus on certain key areas… we will have an internal discussion after this,” he said. – Bernama, July 13, 2023.