Special panel formed to tackle Muslim LGBT issues

PARLIAMENT | The government has formed an inter-agency special committee to address issues pertaining to Muslim LGBT individuals in Malaysia and held its first meeting last month, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

The minister in charge of religious affairs, in a written reply to Ahmad Saad (PN-Pokok Sena), said the committee set up through the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) comprises ministries, departments, agencies, and NGOs that will coordinate LGBT issues among Muslims, from the education, advocacy to guidance and enforcement perspectives.

"The members of the committee will perform tasks in accordance with their respective roles and function," he said, adding the committee is scheduled to meet once a year or more if deemed necessary.

From January 2021 to April this year, Na'im (above) said the agencies had carried out various initiatives intended to educate and guide Muslim LGBT individuals; advocate against the practice; and enforce existing regulations that prohibit such practice or promotion of related elements.

He was responding to Ahmad who inquired if the government was taking any strategic steps through a whole-of-government approach to curb any effort at normalising LGBT culture in the country.

Among others, Na'im said in the areas of education, prevention and advocacy, 18 programmes were implemented by agencies such as Jakim, Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim) and the Selangor Mufti Department.

The programmes include webinars and seminars on social issues, and the Health Ministry's PROSTAR programme 2.0 that focused on AIDS prevention among teenagers.

In terms of action and enforcement, Na’im cited prevention of the animated film ‘Lightyear’ from being screened in local cinemas, and the investigation of the Women’s March Movement for purported promotion of LGBT.

Furthermore, Na'im stressed the government's stand to not recognise the LGBT community in line with the status of Islam as Malaysia's official religion.

"LGBT behaviour is against religion, morality and Malaysian culture. Not only that, but homosexual behaviour is against the law of the land. It is prohibited by both shariah and civil law,” said Naim.

"Under Section 377 of the Penal Code, it is an offence for any person to have intercourse that is contrary to the law of nature," he said.

"This means the rights of the LGBT community to practise its lifestyle is still subjected to laws in Malaysia that prohibit such acts.

"However, the government does not discriminate against any communities, including the LGBT, to exercise their fundamental rights as provided for under the Federal Constitution, including the right to education, the right to practise religion, and the right to work in accordance with Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution," he said.

Article 8(2) stipulates that there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the basis of religion, race, descent, place of birth, or gender in any law.

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