Govt scraps national harmony commission plan

The national unity ministry has decided against establishing a national harmony commission, despite reviving the proposal in April. Minister Aaron Ago Dagang announced this decision after engaging with civil society groups, government agencies, academics, community leaders, and other stakeholders to assess the proposed commission's scope, implications, challenges, and feasibility.

The ministry concluded that creating a new entity as a national harmony commission was not necessary. Instead, it will strengthen existing institutions, including the national unity and integration department, Rukun Tetangga, and community mediators. These organizations will play a crucial role in managing social harmony, as part of a practical, responsive, and cost-effective strategy.

Aaron emphasized that a national harmony commission would overlap with the functions of existing institutions, leading to additional costs that could be avoided. The national unity consultation council had prepared three draft bills in 2015, including a bill on the national harmony and reconciliation commission, which the government had previously agreed to in principle in 2019.

However, the implementation was postponed due to jurisdiction overlaps with the police and Suhakam. In April 2020, the Perikatan Nasional-led government abandoned the bill, but Aaron's ministry brought the proposal back in April 2021, citing a rise in unity-related disputes threatening national harmony.