KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for insults against Islam and the institution of the Malay Rulers to be dealt with firmly, fairly and wisely, to protect religious dignity, state institutions and national harmony.

He said unease among the Malay community is deepening as the sanctity of Islam and the standing of the Malay Rulers are increasingly being challenged through various issues that stir public sensitivities.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, cited concerns including insults against the word Allah, jokes mocking halal matters, objections to the azan (call to prayer), and acts of disrespect towards the Malay Rulers.

“Islam is the religion of the Federation, and the Malay Rulers are the pillars of national sovereignty. So when these two main pillars are disturbed, the people’s anxiety cannot be treated as a small matter,” he said in a speech at the Musyawarah Nasional themed Malay Unease: What Is the Solution?

He stressed that while freedom of speech must be respected, it cannot be used as a pretext to insult religion, belittle the institution of the Malay Rulers or undermine national harmony.

Ahmad Zahid said it is time to review and strengthen the country’s legal framework to ensure it remains relevant to current challenges.

He added that Malay unease extends beyond religion and royalty, also involving economic, education, unity and political stability issues.

On the economy, he said Malays remain the largest group of consumers and workers but are still not strong asset owners, stressing the need to move beyond aid towards ownership, control and participation in future industries.

On education, he highlighted the mismatch between graduates and industry needs, noting that 35.8 per cent or 1.96 million graduates are working in semi-skilled or low-skilled jobs.

He said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) should be strengthened as a key pathway for youth mobility.

Ahmad Zahid also warned that rising racial sentiment and prejudice on social media could erode national unity, adding that disputes over language, identity, food heritage and cultural sensitivities are increasingly causing tension.

He further said Malay politics must return to unity, civility and strategy, warning against internal divisions and power struggles that could weaken the community’s position.

“Malay politics must return to reason, civility and strategy, not just to win elections, but to ensure this race continues to hold the power to decide its own future,” he said.