PETALING JAYA, July 16 — Datuk Seri Nazir Razak took to social media in voicing out the need for racism to be made illegal because he fears for the country’s future.

With regards to the riots at Low Yat Plaza last weekend, Nazir, who is CIMB Group chairman and the younger brother of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, wrote on his Instagram account: “When a silly handphone theft results in racial brawls, I fear for their future. Let’s define and make racism illegal to bring us closer together.”

Nazir’s comments came attached with a photograph that featured children of various races in traditional costumes.

The riot which left five people hurt, was triggered by an alleged mobile phone theft, that escalated into a riot by about 100 people outside Low Yat Plaza. A 22-year-old unemployed man has been charged with the theft and 30 others have been detained.

Several leaders welcomed Nazir’s comments.

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, chairman, Centre for Public Policy Studies

Such an idea or call has been mooted before, but sadly, it was not taken seriously. However, what Datuk Seri Nazir Razak has said gives it a new push and urgency, making it pertinent to pursue, especially at this time. The Low Yat Plaza incident goes to show how frail our country’s race relations are, and how negative forces can exploit a situation and turn it into a worrying and troublesome issue. There has been a rather soft approach on racism for too long with no real law against it. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, have already adopted anti-racism laws. So, perhaps if the government is serious about national unity, then it could look into the proposal for an anti-racism Act or law which would be a wonderful gift for Hari Raya.

Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Parit Buntar MP and National Unity Consultative Council member

Good! I welcome Datuk Seri Nazir Razak’s comments. He is on the same wavelength as me. I agree that racism in our country must be curbed and controlled to prevent certain issues or incidents from being exploited to serve racist agendas. We need a multi-pronged approach to combat racism, so we should push for the implementation of an anti-racism law. Together with my good friend Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, we have been campaigning for the government to accept a proposal for a racial harmony Act through the Commission for Harmony and Reconciliation, but it was turned down. Nevertheless, I am sure many Malaysians will agree that such an Act or law should be implemented for the greater good of the rakyat and our beloved country.

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, social activist

What Datuk Seri Nazir Razak is calling for is valid because racism is regarded as a serious offence. If anyone commits an act of racism, then appropriate action must be taken according to the law. The Low Yat Plaza incident clearly showed that despite 58 years of independence, race relations in our beloved country are still fragile, and a small spark can ignite a fracas. Such incidents must be avoided at all costs, and we must learn from the dark past or the entire nation will suffer. In the wake of this incident, it is very important for the government to look into the whole subject of race relations and decipher how it could be improved, while seeing if there is a need for a race relations Act.

Jagir Singh, president of Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism

I welcome Datuk Seri Nazir Razak’s call for the need to make racism illegal. If a bill or Act were to be drafted, such as the Harmony Bill that was proposed by the National Unity Consultative Council, then it should be properly drafted and defined to avoid abuse. We should follow the example of other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore, with laws in place that make racism illegal. Any law that makes racism illegal should be welcome as a general rule.

Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, G25 member

It is so apt at this point because if we do not criminalise racism, racists will continue to have the upper hand, and that’s not what we need in a society like ours. Laws are supposed to deter criminals so it should have an effect, but the definition of “racist” and “racism” should be spelled out properly because it can be easily misconstrued, and the wrong people can be made into criminals.