National Harmony Bill expected to be tabled next parliament session

The National Harmony Bill, aimed at fostering national unity among the people is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the coming session.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said the bill would focus on preventive measures which would steer the people away from activities detrimental to national unity and solidarity.

"It is aimed at educating and creating awareness among the people so that they will not do something that touches on sensitive issues and lead to misunderstanding," he told reporters after launching the state-level Unity Week and Waving the Jalur Gemilang 2015 programme here today.

Elaborating, he said the department was still gathering inputs and views from various parties related to the proposed National Harmony Bill.

"We hope there will be (parties) such as non-governmental organisations and people involved in politics who will come forward and give their views."

In July 2012, the government had proposed to abolish the Sedition Act 1948 and replace it with a new law called the National Harmony Act.

However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his winding-up speech at the 2014 Umno General Assembly announced the decision to retain the Sedition Act 1948 to maintain national peace and harmony.