KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — The government must act swiftly to halt misuse of social media and attempts to stir up racial sentiments in Malaysia, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong said in Parliament today.

In his opening address, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah also reminded Malaysians to preserve the existing harmony in the country.

“Attempts to incite racial sentiment and abuse of social media by spreading seditious and slanderous remarks and extremist ideologies should be contained immediately.

“Inability to act promptly could lead to bigger conflicts and discords,” the ruler said in the official English version of his speech at the first Parliament meeting of the year.

Tuanku Abdul Halim did not identify any of those involved in such activities.

Putrajaya is currently planning amendments to laws governing the use of the Internet to more strictly police the use of social media, blogs and online news outlets over alleged abuses via such platforms.

On January 20, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak reportedly said his ministry has proposed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and sent it for the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ nod, adding that it will be deliberated in Cabinet and tabled in Parliament in March.

In the New Straits Times report, he said the new law changes will list down the specific action that can be taken against cybercrime offenders, adding that the government wants these individuals to be punished instead of only blocking access to websites that allegedly slander the government.