PUTRAJAYA – The e-Sepakat system detected a total of 47 issues related to 3Rs (religion, race and royalty) in the first quarter of this year, compared to 21 issues in the same period last year, said Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
In a statement today, Aaron said issues involving religion, statements mixed with hatred and racism showed an increase of 123%.
He said 1,454 pieces of 3R-related content were taken down from social media platforms from January to March 31, identified by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission as containing hate speech involving race (588 cases), religion (727) and the royal institution (139).
As for the statistics on reports related to the issue of racial clashes recorded by police, Aaron said a total of 162 cases were recorded nationwide – with the highest number in Johor with 53 cases, followed by Selangor (34 cases) and Penang (23 cases).
“Although the Unity Ministry does not have special powers or provisions to take legal action, the ministry through the National Unity and Integration Department plays an important role in helping to manage unity issues.
“Among the unity-issue management mechanisms implemented by (the department) is the detection and monitoring of unity issues at the grassroots level through the e-Sepakat system,” he said.
The e-Sepakat system is the main data collection centre for the management of unity issues, and works as a working mechanism for detecting, monitoring and reporting such issues digitally.
Aaron said that as a country made up of people from diverse backgrounds, respect and tolerance should be at a high level and should be appreciated by every strata of society.
He said understanding was the key to an acceptance that would remove all annoyances.
“Therefore, it is imperative for us to understand the culture, language, religion and way of life of each race in this country. When we understand each other, then the space for mutual acceptance and tolerance will open wider and the gap between races can be reduced,” he said, adding that the move could indirectly foster a spirit of unity in society. – April 6, 2024