'Glamping with Pride': Mais rejects 'normalising' LGBTQ+ culture

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) has firmly rejected what it described as any attempt to “normalise LGBT culture”, following media reports on a community-based programme next weekend.

Mais chairperson Senator Salehuddin Saidin said the matter was viewed seriously, claiming such programmes promote a lifestyle “clearly contrary to Islamic teachings”.

“As the body responsible for safeguarding the sanctity of Islam in the state of Selangor, Mais strongly opposes any form of activities by any parties that aim to promote, support, and normalise deviant lifestyles such as LGBT,” he said.

Mais also reminded Muslims not to participate in, promote, support, or be involved in any activities linked to what it described as the normalisation of LGBTQ+ lifestyles.

He argued that such activities were not only contrary to Islam, but also “contrary to the law, Eastern cultural values, and societal norms in Malaysia”.

Yesterday, Selangor Islamic affairs and cultural innovation executive councillor Fahmi Ngah said police have been ordered to monitor a pro-LGBTQ+ group’s “Glamping With Pride” programme in Hulu Langat next weekend.

Fahmi said the police have been instructed to monitor, investigate, and take enforcement action if any illegal elements are found.

Jejaka, the NGO behind the event, announced that it would proceed with the two-day community-based retreat focused on wellbeing, peer support, and health awareness.

Meanwhile, Salehuddin also advised those involved in LGBTQ+ lifestyles to “return to their natural disposition” by joining rehabilitation programmes offered by Mais, other religious authorities, or NGOs that provide related services.

Mais also pledged continued cooperation with authorities and government agencies to block and prevent the spread of LGBTQ+ influence, which it said could harm society.

It added that it would work with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and other government agencies to strengthen moral education, Islamic outreach, and improve rehabilitation programmes for Muslims.

Offence under syariah, Penal Code

Separately, Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Sirajuddin Suhaimee said attempts to "normalise deviant sex acts" constitute an offence under existing laws.

In a statement today, he pointed to Section 25 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 as well as Sections 377A, 377B, 377C, and 377D of the Penal Code.

According to Malaysiakini's checks, Section 25 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act states that a man who commits "liwat" (sodomy or anal sex) may be imprisoned for up to three years or subjected to six lashes of the whip or both.

Section 377A of the Penal Code criminalises anal and oral sex, deeming it "carnal intercourse against the order of nature". Section 377B provides a punishment of imprisonment up to 20 years and possible whipping.

Section 377C criminalises anal and oral sex without consent, which can be punished with imprisonment not exceeding five years and possible whipping.

Section 377D criminalises the insertion of an object into a person's vagina or anus without consent with the punishment of imprisonment up to five years and possible whipping.

None of the above provisions in the Penal Code specify gender or homosexual acts.

No compromise

Commenting further, Sirajuddin said Jakim will continue educating Muslims to prevent them from being influenced to adopt what he described as a lifestyle that normalises deviant practices.

"Any behaviour and practice that is clearly contrary to Islamic teachings will not be compromised.

"All parties are advised to comply with the law and submit any related issues to the Islamic religious authorities for further action," he added.

Previously, criminal lawyer Goh Cia Yee said that homosexuality is not criminalised under Malaysian law.

"What you are criminalising is specific conduct: carnal intercourse against the order of nature.

"This can be oral sex between a man and a woman. It can be anal sex between a man and a woman, also," he pointed out.

On Dec 31, a pro-LGBTQ group said 2025 has been an abysmal year for the community’s rights, with over 307 arrests between January to December based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

Justice for Sisters found that federal and state authorities, along with religious and political actors, have intensified anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns by exploiting HIV, religion, and moral narratives to spread misinformation about the community, entrench stigma, and justify harmful so-called rehabilitation practices.

It noted a considerable increase in censorship of LGBTQ+ content in media, arts, and culture, citing the ban of publications, stricter performance guidelines, and gendered dress codes.

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