Govt scraps national harmony commission plan

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has dropped the proposal to establish the National Harmony Commission (SKN), National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said.

Aaron said the ministry would instead focus on strengthening existing institutions, namely the National Unity and Integration Department, Rukun Tetangga and community mediators, as the lead agencies in managing social harmony.

He said the decision was made after the National Unity Ministry conducted two engagement sessions involving civil society organisations, government agencies, academics, community leaders and other stakeholders to assess the need, scope, implications, challenges and feasibility of establishing the commission.

"After taking into account the views of all parties and further consideration, the ministry has decided not to proceed with the establishment of SKN as a new entity.

"This is as discussed and decided at the first 2026 meeting of the National Unity Advisory Council (MPPN).

"This also avoids duplication of functions and the cost of establishing a new entity, while making use of the existing structures, networks and instruments developed by JPNIN," he said in a written parliamentary reply.

He was responding to a question from Dr V. Sivakumar (PH-Batu Gajah), who asked about the status and timeline for establishing the commission, its proposed enforcement powers and assurances that it would not overlap with existing agencies dealing with discrimination and racial tensions.

In April, the government was reviving the plan to establish SKN, with the National Unity Ministry backing a renewed proposal amid growing concerns over unity-related issues.

It was said that the move followed a proposal by activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and built on earlier efforts dating back to 2015, when the National Unity Advisory Council drafted three bills on racial and religious hatred offences, national harmony and reconciliation, and the establishment of a commission.

However, in 2019, the government rejected two of the bills due to overlaps with existing laws and constitutional provisions, including Article 8 of the Federal Constitution on non-discrimination.