How do current laws fail to address religious instigation?

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Current Laws Have Limitations in Addressing Religious Instigation

Existing legislation, specifically the Sedition Act and the Penal Code, has been employed to address offences involving religious and racial instigation. However, these laws were not originally designed with the specific intent of targeting racial and religious instigation, which presents a limitation in their effectiveness.
Provisions Used Against Religious and Racial Instigation

The Sedition Act and the Penal Code have historically been invoked to prosecute individuals involved in inciting religious or racial disharmony. These statutes provide a legal framework to address acts deemed to disturb public order or promote enmity between different groups. For instance, provisions within these acts can be applied when speech or actions are perceived to incite hatred or contempt towards a particular religion or race, thereby potentially leading to public unrest.
Shortcomings of Existing Legislation

A key deficiency of the Sedition Act and the Penal Code in the context of religious and racial instigation is their broad nature. They were not enacted with the primary objective of curbing religiously or racially motivated instigation. Consequently, their application in such cases might not always be precise or comprehensive enough to tackle the nuanced complexities of interfaith and interracial tensions. This lack of specific focus means that while these laws can be used, they may not adequately address the root causes or specific manifestations of religious and racial instigation as effectively as more targeted legislation might.
Proposed Measures for Enhanced Religious Harmony

In response to the identified shortcomings, there are ongoing governmental initiatives to introduce more specific measures. A proposal has been made to establish a national harmony and reconciliation commission. This body aims to protect communal and interreligious interests, particularly in an environment where extremism and bigotry are perceived to be on the rise. Concurrently, plans are underway to introduce a new law specifically designed to address religious and racial hatred. These proposed measures are intended to incorporate elements from previous advisory bodies, such as the defunct National Unity Consultative Council, to create a more robust framework for safeguarding religious harmony.

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How do current laws fail to address religious instigation?

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