KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional lawmakers, who made inaccurate statements in public, should be referred to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee. Chiong Yoke Kong, who is the political secretary Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming, said these opposition members of parliament (MPs) were making incorrect statements to gain cheap publicity to sway voters sentiment ahead of the six state polls.
"Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul must refer these irresponsible MPs to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee to urge them not to abuse their parliamentary privilege again," he said in a statement today. Chiong said the PN MPs were continuously stirring up hatred among different communities, and this has led to a lot of conflicts within the multiracial and multireligious society.
"For instance, they distorted the good intentions of the Local Government Development Ministry to seek advice from Singapore's Housing and Development Board, when they described it as a betrayal of the country's sovereignty. "The latest was Pas' Maran MP Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib, who challenged the legality of the status of Chinese new villages and citizenship rights," he said in a statement today.
Chiong said a mature society encourages people to be tolerant and understanding of differing opinions while resolving disagreements peacefully. "Extreme racial and religious ideologies are dangerous and can incite hatred, violence and discrimination against specific ethnic groups.
"The negative impact of this extremist discourse is not limited to victims, but also affects the entire society, leading to violence and tension. "When extremism spreads, it will cause the people to become distrusting of each other and this undermines social cohesion and stability.
"Similarly, it can also make people of different ethnicities and beliefs more isolated and vulnerable, causing greater social division," he said.Chiong said lawmakers should respect the cultural, religious and value systems of different ethnic groups and oppose all forms of discrimination and oppression.
"This requires promoting dialogue, education and awareness-raising initiatives to foster respect for different cultures, beliefs and values."We must do our utmost to combat extremist racial and religious ideologies, and strive to build an inclusive and harmonious society," he said.
