Pusat KOMAS lauds the announcement by the Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin to draft the Residential Tenancy Act, which will address racial discrimination in the property market at the launch of the National Housing Policy 2018-2025 (DRN). The announcement of the drafting of the act is a first step towards the elimination of the growing racial discrimination in Malaysia today.
Issues of racial discrimination in the property market is not new in Malaysia. In fact, Pusat KOMAS had highlighted numerous incidences of racial discrimination in which people of different races including foreigners and migrant workers were discriminated. One example of such behavior was reflected at Pusat KOMAS Malaysia Racial Discrimination Report 2017 in which a banner was hanged at the road junction in Taman Taming Indah 2, Sungai Long in Cheras informing owners of houses not to rent their property to Africans.
The call by the Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin to draft the Residential Tenancy Act is a fresh impetus to countering racial discrimination and racism in Malaysia. Pusat KOMAS calls for more initiatives to promote national unity to be introduced and implemented by the Pakatan Harapan government to counter the growing issue of racism as seen in the recent Cameron Highlands by-elections which saw the exploitation of the racial and religious card to pit one race with the other for the sake of short-term political expediency and gains.
The drafting of such laws would ensure that everyone in Malaysia regardless of their race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin would enjoy an equal footing of human rights and fundamental freedoms of their public life. Laws and policies promoting equality is essential in the New Malaysia where everyone can feel equal under the Malaysian sun. However, the drafting of such laws and policies should include consultation and engagement with the relevant stakeholders. Such engagements are necessary to ensure that the laws and policies drafted are in congruence with international standards and norms.
We join the call by the former Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Ms. Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, “The Malaysian Government and Malaysian political and public leaders should step up their efforts to demonstrate an unequivocal political will and commitment in overcoming racism and racial discrimination in Malaysia by voicing strong condemnation of and taking action against the use of hate speech and any acts of incitement to hatred”. The drafting of the Residential Tenancy Act is indeed the first step by the Pakatan Harapan government to demonstrate their political will and commitment to create a Malaysia that is inclusive, moderate and respected globally.
Statement by:
Pusat KOMAS