No need for Race Relations Act, Cabinet says

(The Star) The Cabinet has decided against formulating the controversial Race Relations Act, said Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

He said the Cabinet, after studying the matter thoroughly, decided two weeks ago against having such an act.

“Race relations is something that comes naturally and cannot be forced through legislation,” he said at a media luncheon organised by the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) here on Tuesday.

“That is why everyone in the Cabinet agreed there was no need for such an Act.”

Shafie, who is also MCPF chairman, said he had discussed the proposed act with many experts and all of them were against it.

He said he had studied similar acts in the United States, Britain, Canada and several neighbouring countries and found that such an act was not suitable here.

He also said if everyone respected each others’ religion and race there would not be any problem.

“We have lived in harmony for more than 50 years. Why can’t we continue to do so? You cannot force someone to like you. It must come naturally,” he added.