PETALING JAYA: The G25 group of prominent retired civil servants has proposed the enactment of an act to make racial and religious incitement of hatred an offence.
The group told Free Malaysia Today a "Racial and Religious Harmony Act" was important as some politicians were still playing up the race and religion sentiment in public statements, claiming to be "saviours" of Islam and the Malays.
G25 also expressed disappointment with some moderate Malay leaders who did not come out and support the inclusive and multiracial approach which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has taken.
"By keeping quiet, they are leaving our reform-minded prime minister exposed to allegations that he is a liberal pursuing western values of democracy and human rights.
"His enemies even try to humiliate him by alleging (that) he has links to the CIA (United States Central Intelligence Agency) and the Jews. Such low-down politics must not be allowed to go unchallenged.
"For the purpose of safeguarding racial and religious harmony among citizens, G25 proposes the enactment of a law called the Racial and Religious Harmony Act," it said.
The group also thanked the Malay Rulers for calling on politicians to stop using race and religion to create hatred among Malaysians.
"We have strong potential to become a fully developed country but if there is no unity among the races, we may sink to become a failed state.
"Our politicians should therefore take the advice of their Highnesses the rulers to seriously to guide their political behaviour."
Yesterday, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir after the 260th meeting of the Conference of Rulers told politicians to stop using racial or religious issues to incite Malaysians against one another.
He called on the new government to foster a spirit of togetherness among Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or culture.