KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not tolerate any attempts to incite racial and religious conflict in the country.
In a stern warning, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he had directed security authorities to be on alert for people who attempt to sow the seeds of hatred using racial and religious sentiments.
"Those who are desperate or feel challenged will use these sentiments and the poor will be paid to cause a ruckus.
"The cabinet is united in this issue to ensure that peace among all races is defended. There will be no tolerance for any effort to disrupt national security," he said at a press conference in Putrajaya today.
He said Islam is the official religion of the country, but the government firmly upholds the freedom of religion enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
He said issues must be resolved amicably to prevent misunderstandings and prejudice.
"The government, in working towards Malaysia Madani, will steadfastly uphold the values, morals and spirit of unity of our multicultural and multireligious people. We are inclusive."
Recently, a poster showing Impact Malaysia, an agency under the Youth and Sports Ministry, inviting non-Christian Malaysians to join a Jom Ziarah programme at a church in Klang, Selangor, sparked controversy online.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had denied that her ministry's Jom Ziarah programme was trying to promote other religions to Muslims.
On Monday, she lodged a police report through her aide against blogger Badrul Hisham Shaharin for allegedly linking the programme to evangelism.