KUCHING: Freedom of speech does not mean one can cross the line and create disharmony among the people, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said Sarawak values its preserved racial and religious harmony, and should therefore not be disturbed.
“Personally, I see that Sarawak is ‘open’ unless you have committed serious offences, such as inciting racial harmony, picking on any indigenous group or anything similar. If so, you should stop it.
“Although the nation allows freedom of speech under the constitution, if you cross the limit, the law will come in,” he said during a press conference on Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival at Baitulmakmur Building II here, today.
Meanwhile, addressing the demand of Sarawak and Sabah activists that both states ban Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and four others, accusing them of fuelling racial and religious tensions and causing social discord, Abdul Karim said if states were to ban everyone for giving dissenting views, then no one will come to Sarawak.
“If they are Malaysian citizens, they have the right to travel to any part of Malaysia. Of course, if they were to come here to incite harmony, then they deserve to be taught,” he said.
For the record, Akmal has been called to end his KK Mart boycott campaign. The controversy began on Mar 13 after photographs of socks featuring the word ‘Allah’ at a KK Mart outlet in Bandar Sunway went viral on social media.
Although the company issued an apology, Akmal has persisted in advocating a nationwide boycott of the convenience store chain.
KK Mart’s founders and directors Chai Kee Kan and Loh Siew Mui have claimed trial to intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims by selling the socks.
