Latest news with #AaronAgoDagang
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia proposes national database for museum artifacts to preserve heritage
ALOR SETAR: The Ministry of National Unity proposes that a National Database of Malaysian Artifact Collections be created through a centralised digital system that integrates input from all museums at the federal, state, institutional and private levels. Its Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the proposal is not only technical, but strategic as it will organise a secure preservation of the nation's heritage, in effect to draw a big picture which is the nation's historical identity rooted in the artifacts. 'It will also allow an inventory of the total collection to be regularly coordinated and updated and support digitisation efforts to protect our heritage. 'Regardless of administrative boundaries or institutional backgrounds, we are united in a noble mission to preserve the country's historical identity, revive the collective memory of the nation and ensure that these treasures of the past continue to illuminate the path to our future,' he said. He said this when speaking at the closing ceremony of the national festival of the 2025 International Museum Day here on Tuesday (July 29). According to him, there are currently 232 museums nationwide, comprising 22 federal museums under the Malaysian Museum Department, 63 agency or institutional museums, 103 state and regional (territorial) museums and 44 private museums. However, according to him, records of artifact collections are currently managed and stored separately according to their respective agencies and states. He said this has resulted in no comprehensive big picture of the actual number of artifacts and national heritage treasures in the collections of museums in Malaysia. 'The Ministry of National Unity is ready to lead this initiative together with the Department of Museums Malaysia, supported by a network of strategic partners ranging from state museums and local governments to institutions of higher learning and private industry players. 'With strong synergy, we will not only preserve our heritage but also build bridges of unity, cultivate understanding and strengthen the roots of a pluralistic and harmonious nation,' he said. - Bernama
The Star
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
No need for more laws to curb offensive remarks
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to introduce new laws to address those who utter offensive remarks in public, as there are enough mechanisms at present to deal with such cases, says National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (pic). 'Anyone who intentionally commits any act, incites or issues any statements that threatens racial and religious unity, may be investigated and prosecuted (under existing laws),' he said. He cited laws that could be enforced under the Home Ministry and the Communications Ministry, namely the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Sedition Act, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act. 'The ministry is of the view that there is no need to create a new law on this,' he said during Question Time in Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Between 2023 and July this year, Aaron said the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had identified 11,967 content that were 3R-related (religion, race and royalty). 'Out of that amount, a total of 7,673 items have been taken down,' he said . Aaron said the prerogative to take action on 3R content would come under the Communications Ministry through the MCMC. 'While the National Unity Ministry does not have direct enforcement powers, we play an important role through a reformative approach, intervention, mediation and awareness to address sensitive issues involving religion, race and statements filled with hatred,' he added. Aaron said his ministry was monitoring 3R statements through the National Community Complaints Network System (Rakan), where complaints would be channelled to the relevant enforcement authorities for immediate action. Besides that, Aaron said the ministry had a Unity Issue Management Committee which covers 12 ministries and agencies to coordinate action on issues that could affect unity. 'There is also the 'Cakap Baik-Baik' campaign, which aims to educate the people to be more courteous when communicating online,' he added.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Laws adequate to check offensive speech, says Aaron
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to introduce new laws to restrict public offensive remarks, says National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. Aaron said it was sufficient to enhance enforcement of existing laws under the Home Ministry, the Communications Ministry, the police, and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). "The ministry is of the view that there is no need to enact or introduce new laws to restrict offensive speech at this time, and that it is sufficient to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws by the Home Ministry, the Communications Ministry, the police, and MCMC. "Anyone who deliberately commits an act, provokes, or makes any statement that threatens racial or religious unity can be investigated and prosecuted. "Several Acts have already been enacted and enforced under the Home Ministry and the Ministry of Communications, including the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Sedition Act, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act," he said in the Dewan Rakyat. He was responding to Muhammad Ismi Mat Taib (PN-Parit), who asked about the ministry's efforts to address racial sentiments and religious extremism on social media, as well as monitoring outcomes for the first half of 2025. Aaron said monitoring and enforcement of issues involving religion, royalty and race (commonly referred to as 3R issues) on social media fall under the jurisdiction of the MCMC. He said from 2023 to July 2025, MCMC had reportedly removed 11,967 pieces of 3R-related content, where 7,673 pieces of content were successfully taken down by platform providers. He said that although the ministry does not have direct enforcement power, it plays a key role through a reformative approach involving intervention, mediation and awareness to address sensitive issues related to religion, race, and hate speech. Aaron said his ministry was monitoring 3R statements through the National Community Complaints Network System (Rakan), where complaints will be channelled to the relevant enforcement authorities for immediate action. He added that the ministry has a Unity Issue Management Committee covering 12 Ministries and agencies to coordinate immediate action on issues affecting unity. "The ministry also developed a unity analysis dashboard on a digital board to identify high-risk hotspots for racial or religious tensions. "This information is used to plan and implement targeted intervention programs in the community," he said. Aaron also added that they had implemented the "Cakap baik-baik" campaign, which aims at educating the community to be more courteous when communicating online. He said the ministry had also successfully resolved several incidents through the reform approach, including a controversial incident in February this year where a corn seller was fined for displaying a sign insulting the Indian community. "The issue was mediated by two Rukun Tetangga leaders, who acted as middlemen in reducing tensions," added Aaron.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Existing laws sufficient to tackle offensive remarks, Aaron tells Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to introduce new laws to address offensive public remarks, as current mechanisms are adequate, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. According to Aaron, the authorities can enhance enforcement of existing laws under the Home Ministry, the Communications Ministry, the police, and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). "The Ministry is of the view that there is no need to create a new law to stop insulting speeches for now. "Anyone who intentionally commits any act, incites, or issues any statements that threaten racial and religious unity, may be investigated and prosecuted under existing laws. "There are several laws enacted and enforced under the Home Ministry and the Communications Ministry, namely the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Sedition Act, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act," he said during Question Time in Parliament on Tuesday (July 29). Meanwhile, Aaron said that from 2023 to July this year, the MCMC identified 11,967 pieces of 3R-related content. "Out of that amount, a total of 7,673 pieces of 3R content have been taken down," said Aaron. Aaron stated that the prerogative to take action on 3R content lies with the Communications Ministry through MCMC. "While the National Unity Ministry does not have direct enforcement powers, this ministry plays an important role through a reformative approach, intervention, mediation, and awareness to address sensitive issues involving religion, race, and statements filled with hatred," he added. Aaron said his ministry is monitoring 3R statements through the National Community Complaints Network System (Rakan), where complaints will be channelled to the relevant enforcement authorities for immediate action. Besides that, Aaron mentioned that the ministry has a Unity Issue Management Committee covering 12 Ministries and agencies to coordinate immediate action on issues affecting unity. "The ministry also developed a unity analysis dashboard on a digital board to identify high-risk hotspots for racial or religious tensions. "This information is used to plan and implement targeted intervention programs in the community," he said. Aaron also added that his ministry has implemented the "Cakap baik-baik" campaign, which aims at educating the community to be more courteous when communicating online. According to Aaron, his ministry has successfully resolved several incidents through the reform approach, including a controversial incident in February this year where a corn seller was fined for displaying a sign insulting the Indian community. "The issue was mediated by two Rukun Tetangga leaders, who acted as a middleman in reducing tensions," added Aaron. In February, a corn seller was fined RM400 by the Magistrate's Court for displaying a sign insulting the Indian community.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Govt launches 'Anak Merdeka Malaysia' initiative to boost patriotic spirit
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Unity Ministry, through the National Archives of Malaysia (ANM), has introduced the "Anak Merdeka Malaysia" initiative to ignite patriotic spirit in conjunction with this year's National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) celebrations. It said the programme also aims to honour Malaysians born on two of the nation's most historic dates – August 31 and September 16 – as a symbol of the country's struggle, independence and unity. Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said in the statement that the initiative is not merely about celebrating birthdays, but also about recognising the profound meaning those dates hold in strengthening national identity and patriotism. "Through 'Anak Merdeka Malaysia', we are not only celebrating their birthdays, but also uniting the voices of the people under one national identity. "This is the true face of Malaysia Madani – a nation that honours its history, nurtures hope, and unites its people," said Aaron. According to the ministry, registration is now open to all Malaysian citizens who share a birthday on either of these two historic dates, regardless of background, age or ethnicity. The statement added that those who register will be given the special opportunity to take part in various activities during the official national-level celebrations, receive commemorative gifts, and be honoured as symbolic national heroes representing the spirit of Malaysian unity. "The ministry calls on all Malaysians to help spread this information to family members, friends and local communities, so that more people can be celebrated as part of the Merdeka legacy. "This is our chance as citizens to strengthen patriotism through inclusive and meaningful participation," it said in a statement yesterday. – Bernama
