Ambank Malaysia Holdings Bhd has clarified that it does not promote Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) activities as alleged by a right-wing NGO.

"Ambank Group is not involved in promoting or encouraging LGBT practices as reported by media," the banking group said in a statement today.

It added that Ambank "respects" syariah law which outlaws LGBT practices.

"We respect the sensitivities of the various communities with different religious beliefs and practices.

 

"This is in line with our value proposition of being Malaysia’s bank that understands the needs of the Malaysian community."

 

Yesterday, the NGO Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) took issue with a partnership between Ambank and the US-based Metlife Inc.

 

Ambank and Metlife co-offer the insurance products Amlife and Amlife Takaful launched May this year.

JMM frowned on the ties as Metlife won an award for the being the best place for the LGBTs to work by the United States' Human Rights Campaign.

 

JMM called for a boycott of what it claimed to be part of a scheme to desensitise Muslim to LGBT causes.

It said it is unreasonable to allow Metlife to hold a stake in the takaful (Islamic insurance) business because the religion forbids LGBT activites.

US insurers will follow local law

 

Ambank replied today that Metlife is governed by US laws, but its subsidiaries and affiliates respects local laws, traditions and cultures in the markets that it serve.

 

"AmBank Group particularly, AmMetLife Insurance Berhad and AmMetLife Takaful Berhad operate and are governed independently under the laws of Malaysia and are not endorsing any practice that breaches any laws, including Shariah law."

 

JMM’s call for a boycott has also drawn ridicule to the group.

 

Last night, Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar said the group’s antics showed that “clearly stupidity has no boundaries”.

He said the group might as well boycott iPhones, because its manufacturer Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is also gay.

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