At a press conference today, Anwar said he had instructed the authorities to be on the watch for any attempts to “fan the flames of hatred”.
“Certain people who are desperate or feel challenged will use these sentiments, and the poor will be exploited to cause disharmony.
“The Cabinet and I will ensure that peace and harmony among all races is defended. We will not tolerate any action that will disrupt the peace of the country,” he said after a Cabinet meeting.
Anwar said the government will firmly uphold the freedom of religion as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.
He said the government, with its clear direction towards a Madani society, will uphold the values, morals and spirit of unity among the various races and religions.
“Any issues that arise must be solved amicably to prevent enmity, misconception or prejudice,” he said.
On Monday, FMT reported that a police report had been lodged against blogger Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, for linking a sports ministry organisation to Christian evangelism.
The report, lodged by an aide to youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh, said Badrul’s Facebook posting gave the impression that Yeoh had become an evangelist soon after she was appointed the youth and sports minister.
Badrul, a member of Bersatu, had shared a poster by Impact Malaysia, a non-profit organisation under the ministry, about a visit to a church in Klang. He then asked if evangelists had begun their groundwork.
Yesterday, during the debate on the Supply Bill 2023, PAS MP Ahmad Yunus Hairi urged the government not to build non-Muslim houses of worship in the same vicinity as mosques due to “sensitivities”.
Flood situation in Malaysia
Separately, Anwar urged NGOs and volunteers to go down to the ground immediately to assist with flood relief efforts in Johor.
He said the number of displaced flood victims has reached 82,831, of whom 26,879 are still in 102 temporary evacuation centres in Johor.
Anwar said the Cabinet has agreed to involve the whole of the government’s machinery in post-flood relief efforts, adding that an extra RM150 million has been allocated for the same.
He also said 16,167 heads of households have been given Bantuan Wang Ihsan of RM1,000 each.
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