National Unity Ministry can only mediate against independent preachers who raise racial, religious issues

Deputy National Unity Minister K Saraswathy admitted that her ministry is not empowered to act against independent preachers who stir up controversies by raising racial and religious issues.

“At the ministry level, we invite them to discuss with them. That is why Religious Issues Management and Mediation Bureau was formed so that we can mediate with them.

“However if they still float 3R, the jurisdiction to take action is under a different ministry with enforcement agency.

“At the ministry, we can only educate the public to accept diversity as a strength to form Malaysia,” said the deputy minister in response to an oral question from Senator Dr A Lingeshwaran in the Dewan Negara today.

He asked if the ministry would propose severe action against independent preachers such as Firdaus Wong whose preaching was detrimental to national unity.

Firdaus Wong gained notoriety by advocating conversion of minors which is contrary to the Federal Constitution.

Saraswathy also added that the police and other enforcement agencies need to take action against some preachers who still fail to understand that diversity is the strength that led to the formation of Malaysia