Abdullah: consultations first before race relations and religious conflicts mechanism.
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi will hold consultations before deciding on a mechanism to address race relations and religious conflicts.
Abdullah's remarks followed comments made a day earlier in which he said that a shrinking economy and deepening divisions between the majority Malays and minority Chinese and Indians are the biggest threats facing the country.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Abdullah suggested he could establish an institution "where all communities" can take their grievances. The answer could also lie in new legislation, ostensibly clarifying grey areas in laws on religious disputes, he said.
In a press conference today, he said he would "have to talk to many people" before deciding on a strategy.
"These are important things that need attention as race and religion are very sensitive issues and if not managed well, it may raise all kinds of situations," he said.
This latest mission comes on the back of two reform bills being passed in Parliament this week, with another two to be debated when Dewan Rakyat reconvenes in February next year.
He confirmed that besides the Witness Protection Act already tabled, a Bill to establish a commission on the integrity of all enforcement agencies as reported in The Malaysian Insider recently would be forthcoming.
Sources had earlier told The Malaysian Insider that this Bill, tentatively known by its Malay acronym Siap (Suruhanjaya Integriti Agensi Penguatkuasa), has been agreed to, in principle, by stakeholders such as the attorney-general and inspector-general of police.
However, there are constitutional matters to address, as the jurisdictions of these agencies are safeguarded in the Federal Constitution.
Abdullah said the new law is "linked to" the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission proposal mooted back in 2005.
"But new suggestions have been added and it will be used not just for the police but other enforcement agencies to look at the roles that they play," he said.
On the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Judicial Appointments Commission bills already passed, he said that if anyone still wanted to question them, then it was up to them.
"They can be executed," he said referring to the bills.
"We have consulted many parties before they were tabled. This is their interpretation and it is a moot point," he answered to a question on whether the bills clashed with certain constitutional provisions.
Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
18/12/08
Abdullah's remarks followed comments made a day earlier in which he said that a shrinking economy and deepening divisions between the majority Malays and minority Chinese and Indians are the biggest threats facing the country.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Abdullah suggested he could establish an institution "where all communities" can take their grievances. The answer could also lie in new legislation, ostensibly clarifying grey areas in laws on religious disputes, he said.
In a press conference today, he said he would "have to talk to many people" before deciding on a strategy.
"These are important things that need attention as race and religion are very sensitive issues and if not managed well, it may raise all kinds of situations," he said.
This latest mission comes on the back of two reform bills being passed in Parliament this week, with another two to be debated when Dewan Rakyat reconvenes in February next year.
He confirmed that besides the Witness Protection Act already tabled, a Bill to establish a commission on the integrity of all enforcement agencies as reported in The Malaysian Insider recently would be forthcoming.
Sources had earlier told The Malaysian Insider that this Bill, tentatively known by its Malay acronym Siap (Suruhanjaya Integriti Agensi Penguatkuasa), has been agreed to, in principle, by stakeholders such as the attorney-general and inspector-general of police.
However, there are constitutional matters to address, as the jurisdictions of these agencies are safeguarded in the Federal Constitution.
Abdullah said the new law is "linked to" the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission proposal mooted back in 2005.
"But new suggestions have been added and it will be used not just for the police but other enforcement agencies to look at the roles that they play," he said.
On the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Judicial Appointments Commission bills already passed, he said that if anyone still wanted to question them, then it was up to them.
"They can be executed," he said referring to the bills.
"We have consulted many parties before they were tabled. This is their interpretation and it is a moot point," he answered to a question on whether the bills clashed with certain constitutional provisions.
Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
18/12/08
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