Kuala lumpur: The drafting of the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission (SKRN) bill, led by the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN), will focus on preventive and conciliatory measures.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of National Unity (KPN) stated that this initiative is in response to recent developments and increasing controversies surrounding unity issues that threaten social harmony. The Ministry highlighted that the proposal for the SKRN was initially agreed upon in principle in 2019, but its implementation faced delays in 2020 due to overlapping jurisdiction with existing bodies like the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and the Royal Malaysia Police.
The Ministry emphasized that the approach is not solely punitive, but rather prioritizes early prevention, mediation, and the resolution of issues in a harmonious manner. KPN indicated that the initiative is aligned with international best practices, such as Singapore's Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act.
The statement also mentioned that inspiration is drawn from the Australian Human Rights Commission, which focuses on social cohesion by monitoring racial incidents and fostering strategic partnerships to address discrimination through non-legal methods like mediation and advocacy.
Additionally, KPN pointed to Zimbabwe's National Peace and Reconciliation Commission as a useful model, particularly in terms of early identification of potential conflict areas, community mediation, and the development of preventive programs to avoid recurring disputes.
The ministry assured that the commission will be empowered to investigate issues affecting social harmony, summon relevant parties for evidence, and issue recommendations and preventive measures to the government and relevant agencies. It was also noted that the commission is expected to conduct formal mediation processes and publish public reports, with certain restrictions in place for national security reasons.
The statement concluded by noting that JPNIN initiated stakeholder engagement sessions in early April, which will continue to include government agencies, enforcement bodies, NGOs, political parties, local communities, and other relevant stakeholders.