Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife Rosmah Mansor has waded into controversy over the recently endorsed Asean Human Rights Declaration by defending Malaysia's stand to support an ouster clause based on "public morality".

In an exclusive interview with Cambodian daily the Phonm Penh Post published last Friday, Rosmah argued that this was due to Malaysia's "high morality" as well as the "alarming" rate of HIV/AIDS cases.

" To me... human rights (are) the rights of an individual based on what you believe in, based on your culture and your religion.

"Fine, you want to recognise (LGBT rights), you think that's right, you don't want to follow what is in your bible, fine, I'm not condemning that... But this is the way we want to run our country. Based on... high morality.

"

You know why HIV and AIDS occur... how it is being spread. Now the number of people suffering from HIV is alarming.

"What is it you want? Do you want to allow this... or do you want to contain it - then this is the way we all should live," the daily quotes her as saying.

Remarks 'outrageous, archaic'

Rosmah was speaking to the Phnom Penh Post on a clause in the Asean declaration that states "human rights and fundamental freedoms" are subject to:

  • National Security;
  • Public order;
  • Public safety;
  • Public morality; and
  • General welfare of the people in a democratic society.

This clause has been heavily criticised by civil society groups throughout Southeast Asia as they claim it can be discriminatory to minority groups, including the LGBT community.

Rosmah and Najib were in Phnom Penh to attend the Asean summit.

According to the Phnom Penh Post , Rosmah said Malaysia "wouldn't, or shouldn't compromise... on high morality".

The daily reported that the vocal public figure's comments had "drawn ire" of human rights groups within the region, who called it "outrageous" and "archaic".

In this aspect, Rosmah mirrors Najib who told Malaysian reporters in Phnom Penh that Malaysia rejects Western values when it comes to LGBT rights but insists that this "does not affect the human rights in this region".

"We have our own norms and values," he was quoted by Bernama as saying.