An LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights group has condemned Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz for publicly using a homophobic slur, "pondan" (effeminate), as an insult.

In a statement today, Pelangi Campaign said Nazri's use of "unpleasant language" could contribute to the rise of hate crimes due to gender expressions and perceived sexual orientations.

"We witness the chilling effect of bullies using such slurs in our society. Teenager T Nhaveen – who tragically passed away last year after being brutally mutilated and sexually assaulted.

"He was subjected to bullying and name-calling like 'pondan' because of (his) gender expression and perceived sexual orientation.

"We also see the rise of hate crimes against trans people simply for their gender identity. Justice For Sisters documented 12 murder cases of trans women from 2007 to 2017. Traditionally, hate crime and violence are underreported," said the group.

On Monday, Nazri had described billionaire Robert Kuok as a "pondan", a "hen" and a "coward with no testicles" over allegations that the latter was funding the opposition.

Pelangi Campaign said Nazri ought to engage in civil dialogue and resist the normalisation of such harmful words.

"It is appaling the minister used such unpleasant language when speaking to his constituents.

"Femininity is not negative and we need to stop devaluing it. We need to keep interrogating patriarchal norms which perpetuate toxic masculinity," said the group.