Don't raise issues that can break unity - Zahid

PUTRAJAYA - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has warned political leaders not to manipulate issues that could break the country's racial and religious unity.

He stressed that the Communications and Digital Ministry through the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been ordered to monitor social media posts and writings that are directed towards racial and religious narratives.

"We have to work together to develop the country, respect each other races and religion despite having different political beliefs," he said in a press conference after an engagement session at the Tabika Pra Tahfiz programme held at Rural and Regional Development Ministry, near here, today.

He said the Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ) in a research found that religious and racial issues were often raised for political gain.

"There are still fatwas issued by political leaders who ruled his party members as kafir and their action as haram, that have yet to be withdrawn," he said.

Zahid said the Madani government, which is made up of 19 political parties, is determined to strengthen the country's national unity, which was a topic highlighted through the Unity Government National Convention held on May 14.

"We can have different opinions, but we celebrate this differences with good morals," he added.

CIJ in collaboration with Universiti Nottingham Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) revealed that posts containing racial and religious narratives and discrimination were mostlt written by politicians, taking over social media platforms during the last 15th General Election.

In another development, Zahid insisted that there was no discussion, decision or appointment of a specific individual to invite the party that claimed they received an offer to join the Unity Government.

"It's not that we don't want unification, it's just that we don't want to repeat the political marriage where the couple, who is in polygamous marriage with other parties, only to divorce afterwards.

"This is because they are insincere and dishonest in marriage and political coalitions" he said.