Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Islamic Affairs, Mujahid Yusof Rawa, questioned if his critics want him to jail LGBT persons.

"What do you want me to do? You want me to arrest them? You want me to put them in jail?

"I have explained that (it cannot be done) unless they have committed a crime," he told journalists at the Parliament lobby today.

In a statement later, Sisters in Islam said Mujahid should focus on policies that will eliminate discrimination in the larger scheme of things, instead of taking action that would cause further bigotry among the country's minority communities. 

"In light of Malaysia Baru, the minister’s priorities should be on unity and celebration of inclusivity.

"This must begin with zero tolerance for all forms of discrimination and any action which further causes cracks in our country’s fabric of diversity," said the statement. 

Mujahid has had a hard time straddling the line between conservatives demanding that he take a tougher stance against the LGBT community, and activists criticising him for not standing up for the rights of minorities.

The minister had previously stressed that LGBT culture should not be promoted, but that their rights as citizens should be respected.

However, both sides took issue with his statement for not going far enough.

Mujahid also confirmed that he had instructed the removal of portraits of LGBT persons at a George Town Festival art exhibition.

"This is to respect or policy... by putting such pictures with LGBT symbols, how is it not promoting (LGBT)?" he said.

The exhibition by photographer Mooreyameen Mohamad had featured LGBT activists Nisha Ayub and Pang Khee Teik, who was holding a rainbow flag.

RELATED REPORTS

Mujahid: Removal of LGBT photos in line with gov't stand

LGBT activist: What is New Malaysia's stance towards minorities like us?

Artist decries removal of LGBT activist photos from Penang exhibition