'I'm not an alien nor inviting people for sex' – LGBT activist rues postponed show
Numan Afifi is disappointed that Astro Awani decided to postpone airing his interview regarding the problems faced by the LGBT community in Malaysia.
He believes the media organisation could have pulled the plug due to concerns over the reaction of netizens...
Numan Afifi is disappointed that Astro Awani decided to postpone airing his interview regarding the problems faced by the LGBT community in Malaysia.
He believes the media organisation could have pulled the plug due to concerns over the reaction of netizens.
“Perhaps they felt threatened... which I find disappointing. Because it is not like our discussion touched on overly-controversial matters.
“I am just a human speaking, not an alien. I don’t think there should be an issue. We are not inviting people for sex,” he told Malaysiakini.
The dialogue with Numan was scheduled to be aired on the 'Let's Talk' programme on Astro Awani on May 14 at 10.15pm.
However, the programme's host Sharaad Kuttan announced via Twitter that it would be postponed. He also apologised to Numan and his viewers.
According to Numan, the issues discussed were related to discrimination, legalities and the stigma faced by the LGBT community at work, school and other such places.
“(The issues discussed) are social issues, which I think most people would like to know about and when they hear it, I think they would understand why.
“The problem is that there are those who may have political ambitions who see this as a sensational issue and are trying to scare people with it. Actually, there is no problem,” he added.
Numan pointed out the government had said the LGBT community has rights as citizens and cited Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah’s remarks at the United Nations that LGBT issues are no longer taboo in Malaysia.
Saifuddin had said there is now more space to hold effective discussions on human rights, including issues such as religious freedom and LGBT.
Lopsided dialogues on LGBT
Numan believes Malaysia is long overdue in having a dialogue involving the LGBT community.
The activist said a lack of understanding sometimes leads people to take their own action against the community such as the assault on two LGBT people last year.
“There have always been dialogues and forums by the religious department or universities but usually it does not involve members from the LGBT community.
“They will usually bring out so-called LGBT experts like academicians or uztaz (Islamic scholars) who are not from the LGBT community.
“Those speaking on the community are not from the community but are making their own assumptions. That is not a dialogue, but a ceramah,” he added.
Numan also criticised the government for passing this issue to the minister in charge of religious affairs.
“Every time it goes back to Mujahid (Yusof Rawa). Actually, this doesn’t fall only under religion. The Home Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Education Ministry are all involved,” he said.
Even though the government does not acknowledge the LGBT, he said they have rejected discrimination against the community which is why this issue needs to be brought up in a dialogue.
“We do not have a platform to express our opinions, which is dangerous to the LGBT community specifically because the (dialogues) are one-sided.
“The government also said they are anti-discrimination (against the LGBT community) so why can’t we talk about anti-discrimination?” he asked.
Meanwhile, Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah) vice-chairperson Kamaruzzaman Mohamad said he agrees that the LGBT community should be given space to voice their opinions.
However, he claimed it should not be done publicly because it would be seen as promoting the LGBT.
“When such views enter TV, it is as if we are giving a signal that the government of the day is not trying to stop activities which are clearly against the laws of the country.
“Personally, I sympathise with those who are trapped in the LGBT mindset.
“They should be given space to express their opinions and a response should be given that they have actually strayed from human instinct as created by nature itself,” he added.
