KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — The Ministry of National Unity has decided against establishing the National Harmony Commission (SKN) following a decision by the National Unity Advisory Council at its first meeting of 2026.
In a written reply published on Parliament’s website, the ministry said the decision was made following two engagement sessions and after taking into account the views of all parties.
“The engagement sessions involved civil society organisations, government agencies, academics, community leaders and various stakeholders to assess the need for, scope and implications of establishing the commission, as well as the challenges and feasibility involved,” the ministry said.
It was responding to a question from Dr V Sivakumar (PH-Batu Gajah), who asked about the status and timeline for establishing the SKN, its proposed enforcement powers, and assurances that it would not duplicate the roles of existing agencies in addressing discrimination and racial tensions.
The ministry will instead focus on strengthening existing institutions, namely the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN), neighbourhood watch communities (KRT) and community mediators, as the lead agencies in managing social harmony, which it views as a practical, responsive and cost-effective approach.
It said the decision would also avoid duplicating the functions of existing agencies and the costs associated with establishing a new entity.
At the same time, the ministry said it could leverage existing structures, networks and mechanisms developed by JPNIN through KRTs, community mediators, the Community Sensitive Issues Reference Centre (PRISMA), the e-Sepakat system for managing unity issues, the National Public Community Complaints Network (RAKAN), and its network of unity officers at state and district levels.
