The Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) has criticised groups who have of late been claiming that homosexuals and bisexuals were the "biggest contributor" of rising HIV-Aids infections.

In a statement today, MAC said discrimination of people who identify as LGBT will only exacerbate the problem.

"We speak against homophobia, transphobia and fear-mongering against LGBT people for being the 'biggest contributors' of new HIV infections in Malaysia as reported by a number of media outlets this past week.

"We are fearful of the adverse effects of homophobia, transphobia and LBGT fear-mongering on the progress of ending AIDS by 2030 - the ultimate goal of the national Aids response.

"There is enough evidence to prove that in settings where LGBT people are targeted, discriminated against, and persecuted, the Aids epidemic thrives," said MAC in a statement today.

Among others, MAC had referenced a lecture by Jakim officer Izwan Mohd Yusof (photo) who told a forum lately that homosexuals and bisexuals were the "number one cause" of the spread of HIV.

He said government statistics showed that 65 percent of new HIV infections are caused by homosexual and bisexual intercourse while 31 percent were through heterosexual intercourse.

MAC said that although sexual transmission of HIV has exceeded needle or other modes of transmission since 2010, it was inaccurate to single out homosexuals or bisexuals.

The council also explained that out of the reported 3,397 new HIV infections last year, 84 percent or 2,864 were sexually transmitted - 1,553 homosexual/bisexual (46 percent) and 1,311 heterosexual transmissions (38 percent) respectively.

MAC said that instead of singling out certain communities, they have been performing outreach activities such as the "high-impact" community-based HIV prevention and treatment services such as venue-based outreach, case management, treatment adherence peer support, and community-based HIV testing.

Citing examples of its collaboration with partners including the health ministry and other partner organisations, the council has targeted specific key populations such as female sex workers, transgender people, and men who have sex with men (MSM).

MAC said groups once unseen due to fear and discrimination now more open to access HIV healthcare services. More than 1,400 MSM, transgender people, and female sex workers in Kuala Lumpur received HIV related services in government healthcare facilities between the first eight months of this year.

Stressing that the same approach needs to be applied to the current HIV crisis, the council supported the establishment of the National Task Force on Mitigation of HIV through Sexual Transmission under the health ministry, which is underway.