A group comprising NGOs and opposition politicians has started an online petition urging all Malaysians to back the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC)'s bid to uphold gender and sexual orientation rights in a proposed anti-bigotry bill.

Initiated by NGOs 'Penang Freedom to Love' and 'Diversity', the petition urged NUCC to take a stronger stand when it comes to acknowledging the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

The group said it was dissatisfied with how NUCC law and policy committee chairperson Mujahid Yusof Rawa ( right ) thought the new National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill could protect the rights of LGBT, without "recognising" them.

"We view that such a stand falls short of logic; however, we acknowledge such a stand was, nonetheless, as a result of political pressure from various quarters," said Jackson Yee, who represented the petitioners.

Since the draft NUCC bill was publicised in June, some have wanted a clause on discrimination on sexual orientation maintained while right-wing NGOs simply wanting the clause removed.

"This bill, specifically this Section 7, is important and central to the lives and deaths of the sexual minority groups," Yee said in a press statement.

He added that recent arrests of transgenders, including 17 people arrested in Negeri Sembilan, and jailed in Sungai Udong by the religious authority for wearing clothes not adhering to their inborn gender, were recent examples of bigotry.

"Such discriminatory law runs in clear and is in direct violation to the bill and Federal Constitution," Yee said.

The petitioners, which included Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM), Islamic Renaissance Front's Dr Ahmad Farouk and at least three state assemblypersons, made three specific demands:

1. To reconsider and maintain inclusive Section 7 of the bill in lieu of the latest scientific information, existing social matrix, academic research papers, inadequacy of the express existing legislation and via engagement with ground roots relevant non-government organisations;

2. To include provisions stating the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission hereby acknowledges and agrees all laws in Malaysia shall be void to the extent of violation under the provisions in this anti-bigotry bill;

3. To express clear support for sexual minority groups and not to be succumbed to selective inclusion due to political pressure.

The online petition, which was launched on July 13, has so far received 424 supporters.