They say these persons appear intent on deliberately causing disharmony by bringing up highly sensitive issues time and again.

Public servant Firdaus Foad told FMT he would never discuss such matters, especially on social media, given that they could undermine racial harmony.

“I would never touch on 3R issues because I know the consequences and penalties if convicted. It’s strange because we have been warned on many occasions by the authorities, yet some still dare to bring them up,” he said.

Amirul Faiz, a private sector employee, believes the borderless nature of today’s media tends to embolden netizens into commenting excessively on 3R issues, leading to divisions in society.

He urged the authorities to monitor such comments more closely to prevent the potential for escalation or unrest, especially given social media’s ability to extend the reach of such messages.

Challenging to monitor, says minister

While Malaysia has long seen discussions about contentious 3R topics, clamping down on such discourses has proved challenging in the era of the internet and social media.

Hatred, negative perceptions and extremist sentiments on 3R topics can spread instantaneously with the click of a button on a smartphone or computer.

National unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang acknowledged the significant challenges his ministry faces in monitoring 3R issues, especially through comments spread on social media.

“This issue has been around for a long time, even from before the internet era.

“Now, it has become even more challenging to monitor given it can spread very fast on social media and reach many people allowing anyone to share their views about sensitive issues.

“We are not restricting freedom of speech, but I advise the public not to touch on sensitive 3R issues as there is a high price to pay for it,” he told FMT.

National unity ministry’s initiatives

Aaron said that his ministry has undertaken various efforts to help the government address the issue, and has set up councils to monitor divisive statements relating to 3R issues.

The ministry has also developed a central data gathering system known as e-Sepakat to monitor, detect and report 3R issues that could affect national unity.

In addition, it has built a “unity analytics dashboard” to support the management of community issues by monitoring areas of potential social tension.

Aaron said the ministry is also equipped with certified community mediators, developed community mediation centres and set up Harmoni, an interfaith harmony committee comprising leaders from various religions.

He said the ministry is also strengthening its monitoring system so that it is able to detect and manage 3R issues more effectively, given the increasing number of reported cases.

In April, Aaron said there had been a 123% spike in 3R cases reported to the ministry over the first quarter of this year.

He said there were 47 such cases in the first quarter of this year, compared to 21 in the corresponding period last year. The second quarter of this year has seen 64 cases, he added.

Also in April, deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had removed 1,454 online posts with 3R-related content in the first three months of the year.

Of the number, 727 posts related to religious issues, 588 to racially charged speeches, and 139 to attacks on the royal institution.

Between Dec 1, 2023, and June 21 this year, MCMC identified 446 posts on 3R issues: 211 concerning leaders, 180 concerning ethnicity, and 55 concerning religion.

“The government, and particularly the national unity ministry, will continue to implement various initiatives to ensure racial harmony and unity, but the public must also play their part,” said Aaron.

“This is a shared responsibility. Understand, accept and respect this so Malaysia will continue to be a peaceful and prosperous country,” he said.