PETALING JAYA: National unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang has warned the media to be tactful when reporting on sensitive issues so as not to fan racial flames.

Aaron said the media has to “cool it down” when reporting on sensitive issues as it may worsen the situation.

“I’ve been telling the media, sensitive issues, please cool it down. You are making the situation worse in this country, please don’t do it,” he told reporters after the launch of the “Hanya Dikau – Seniman Agung P Ramlee” exhibition at KLIA today.

Aaron was responding to a question asking him to comment on the “Jom Ziarah Gereja” programme, which was organised by Impact Malaysia, an agency under the youth and sports ministry.

The group had organised a visit to a church in Klang as part of its “Jom Ziarah” initiative, which is aimed at fostering a better understanding among youth of different faiths.

Following criticisms, Impact Malaysia said the church visit had been cancelled. It added any programme to visit different houses of worship would no longer be carried out by the youth and sports ministry.

Blogger Badrul Hisham Shahrin, better known as Chegubard, linked the programme to Christian evangelism, which prompted youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh to lodge a report against him.

Badrul subsequently lodged a police report against Yeoh, accusing her of proselytising Christianity to Muslim youth through the programme, as it was carried out by the agency under her ministry.