Let this be my shortest piece ever
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, today, confirmed that more than 1,500 cases of racial fracas are reported every year. That’s almost five race-related cases per day, at least as far as those REPORTED are concerned. This is what the Minister said, not what I say. I rest my case and will allow the Bernama report below do all the talking.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Koh Tsu Koon praises police
KULIM, June 13 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon today praised the Royal Malaysian Police for its efficiency in handling racial fracas.
He said the police had done a good and commendable job in safeguarding public order and security, resulting in the country to remain safe.
“The spirit of unity remains strong among the people in the country, despite more than 1,500 cases of racial fracas reported every year,” he said at the launching of the state-level Unity Week here yesterday.
However, Dr Koh, said the cases reported were not serious and the number was still low compared with other countries.
“Cases of these petty fights were normally started by two individuals, which then escalated into a racial fracas, but the police, through their moderate approach, were able to solve them," he added.
He said there were differences in opinions on certain issues, but the people should stay united and together find ways to find solutions for problems.
He urged the Rukun Tetangga (RT) community in the country to play a role in promoting the 1Malaysia concept by organising various programmes and activities in their respective neighbourhoods.
The move, he said, would be in line with the setting up of the RT sectors, which was to foster closer relations among the people of various races in the country.
“The objective is relevant until today and synonymous with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s desire to see the people united under the 1 Malaysia concept,” he added.
Later at the function, Dr Koh presented awards to eight individuals for their contributions in fostering racial harmony among the people in Kedah.
They are Datuk Chong Kim Wah (Kubang Pasu), Murah Draoh (Langkawi), Supramaniam Muthusamy (Kulim), Jamaluddin Hashim (Pendang), Ramasamy Ariaputran (Baling), Rashid Hussein (Kota Setar), Hashim Chik (Yan) and Azizan Md Isa (Kuala Muda).
Also present at the function were National Unity and Integration Department Director-General Datuk Azman Amin Hassan abnd its Kedah director, Mohd Yunus Mansor. – Bernama
