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Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Najib Wants Action Against Provocative Acts Threatening Racial, Religious Harmony

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants the authorities to take action to prevent provocative acts like the hanging of offending banners in Penang over the "Allah" issue, which could sour race and religious relations in the country.

The prime minister said the government always prioritised unity and harmony and would do whatever it could to preserve this situation through law enforcement.

However, he reminded that whatever action taken should be based on the rule of law.

"I hope there won't be any undesirable reaction to the (offending banner) incident as it can worsen the situation.

"Let the relevant authorities take further action. In times like this, we should be calm and not act irrationally as this can be detrimental to the country," he said after launching the book, 'Maps of Malaya and Borneo: Discovery, Statehood and Progress', here, Monday.

Najib was commenting on the hanging of provocative banners in front of churches in a number of locations in Penang over the "Allah" issue, which has aroused religious sentiments and caused uneasiness among the state's multiracial community.

Asked whether the authorities had not acted strictly enough, he said: "Let them investigate and take action accordingly, as we don't know who were responsible for the provocative act.

"We can guess but it may be off-target. That is why I hope all quarters will remain calm and not react rashly in this matter."

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