Race Relations Act Not Needed, Deputy Minister Says

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- A race relations act does not need to be introduced as the country has been in peace throughout the 51 years of independence, said Deputy Information Minister Datuk Tan Lian Hoe.

She said the idea to come up with the act came because there were individuals using racial issues for their own personal interests without thinking about national prosperity.

"This situation is not good for our country whose population comprise various races.

"Therefore the peace should be strengthened through mutual respect which has been built since the time of our ancestors," he told reporters after opening the Global Entrepreneurship Conference at the Putra World Trade Centre today.

Tan who is Gerakan Wanita head, said racial issues would see an end if each member of society including political leaders were more open and regarded each race in the country as Malaysians.

"We have to champion the Malaysian race as a big family where we no longer introduce ourselves as Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races,"

"The time has come for us to introduce ourselves as Malaysians or Malaysian race to see the country's peace and prosperity remain whole," she said.

-- BERNAMA