NATIONAL Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang said the Sedition Act 1948 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 were sufficient to address race, religion and royalty (3R) issues.

He said there was no need for new legislation.

Aaron said several sections in the two acts pertain to legislative action against 3R offences, referring to section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.

“But if the situation is urgent and the government feels existing laws need to be reviewed to reduce the animosity between the different races and religions, then my ministry will fully support such initiatives,” he said.

The minister was responding to a question from Aminolhudin Hassan (Sri Gading-PH) on whether the two acts were sufficient to solve 3R issues.

Aaron said the previous government introduced a Racial and Religious Hate Crimes Bill and a National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission Bill in 2019.

But he said the bills were rejected as offences under them were already covered in the Criminal Procedure Code and article 8 of the Federal Constitution. – Bernama, November 7, 2023.