PUTRAJAYA, Sept 2 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin reiterated today the government’s “zero-tolerance” policy towards racism when commenting on controversial song writer Namewee but remained non-committal about possible disciplinary action against an allegedly racist school principal in Johor.
The deputy prime minister said that Malaysia was a democratic country which promoted freedom of expression but pointed out that it had to be regulated to avoid racial tension.
“Even though previously there are certain parties who have accused the government of not being firm against racism but we have studied this matter (Namewee) because what is important is that we do not want any racial tension between the different communities which could have an adverse effect on the country.
“That is why if there is someone who wants to voice their opinion in a democratic country, they are bound by laws especially the Sedition Act. That is why the government has decided that we must be more firm, regardless of race, against actions and statements that can escalate racial tension. We want to avoid this,” he told a press conference at Perdana Putra here.
Muhyiddin (picture) was responding to questions about the sensationalising of racial issues by individuals, especially Namewee.
Wee Meng Chee, better known as Namewee, had posted on Youtube a video which contained vulgar and obscene remarks in response to an incident involving a Johor school principal who allegedly made racist remarks to her pupils.
Namewee is under investigation for allegedly producing a seditious music video.
However, the government is still investigating the Johor principal, Siti Inshah Mansor, over the alleged derogatory remarks she had directed at her students.
The Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra principal allegedly said during a school assembly that “Chinese students... can return to China,” and likened the prayer strings used by Indians to dog leashes.
Muhyiddin said the Public Service Department (PSD) would make a decision on Siti Inshah “as soon as possible”.
“We have transferred the case to PSD and we hope they will make a decision immediately. That is why it was transferred last week and the PSD director has been asked to make a decision as soon as possible,” he said.
Nearly three weeks ago, Muhyiddin directed Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom to set up a task force to probe the incident.
Alimuddin had previously claimed the matter had been settled.
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