BANGI, July 13 — Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil today expressed his disappointment over politicians who still play up race, religion, and royalty (3R) issues during political campaigns.

The Lembah Pantai MP said the police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will set up a special unit to monitor and act against politicians who persist in doing so.

"The Malay Rulers have decreed, the prime minister and the inspector-general of police have reminded and warned everyone not to play up the ‘3R’ issues but some politicians are still bringing them up. I am disappointed.

"A recent Centre of Independent Journalism report stated that the ‘3R’ issues on our political landscape have increased in a short amount of time. That is worrying.

"We cannot allow ‘desperado’ politics to persist. The police and MCMC will set up a special unit team to curb this,” he told reporters after officiating the first Global Conference of Communication, Culture & Contemporary Media (Glocom 2023) here.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued a final warning to all parties to not exploit issues touching on the 3R which can split the country.

He said the MCMC and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) would monitor the situation without exception.

Anwar said the country would not remain stable if desperate parties were allowed to continue to do whatever they pleased to preserve their authority or to seek new spheres of influence.