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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Malaysia rejects LGBTQ culture, orders probe into pride event
Any effort to normalise LGBTQ is against the Federal Constitution, existing laws and official policy, said a minister. PHOTO: REUTERS KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia said it opposes LGBTQ culture in the country and has ordered an investigation into a coming pride event that went viral on social media. Any effort to normalise LGBTQ is against the Federal Constitution, existing laws and official policy, said Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) in a statement late on May 28. Mr Naim ordered authorities, including the police, to take appropriate action should there be a breach of any law in the planned programme with the theme 'Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness.' 'Organising a programme like this, even though closed, clearly challenges social norms and religious values that the majority of Malaysians adhere to,' he said. He urged the organisers to immediately cease any activities that 'violated the nation's laws and society's moral values.' Religious agencies were prepared to take authoritative action should Muslims be involved, he added. Since taking power, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government has clamped down on pride culture in its bid to appease the country's Muslim majority. The administration confiscated rainbow-themed watches from Swatch Group AG's stores and abruptly cancelled a music festival after two band members shared a same-sex kiss on stage. 'I urge all quarters to together defend our society's social and moral structures from any elements that can hurt the country's faith, morality and harmony,' Mr Naim said on May 28. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Govt firmly opposes normalising LGBTQ+ culture, says Na'im
KUALA LUMPUR: The government rejects all attempts to normalise lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ+) culture, whether implicitly or openly, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar (pic) . The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said that as a country which upheld Islam as the religion of the federation and adheres to noble eastern cultural values, any attempt to normalise such deviant lifestyles is contrary to the Federal Constitution, existing laws and official government policy. "I view seriously the reports regarding the organisation of a programme themed 'Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness', which was allegedly aimed at celebrating Pride Month, as circulated on social media recently. "The organisation of such programmes, even if held behind closed doors, clearly challenges societal norms and religious values upheld by the majority of Malaysians,' he said in a statement on Wednesday (May 28) night. In this regard, Na'im urged the authorities, including the Royal Malaysia Police, to immediately investigate the programme and take appropriate action should there be any breach of the law. He further called on the organisers to immediately cease all activities that contravene the law and moral values of society. "Religious agencies, including the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and the state Islamic departments, are also urged to be ready to play their enforcement role, particularly if Muslims are involved,' he said. At the same time, Mohd Na'im called on all parties to work together to safeguard the social and moral fabric of the nation from any elements that may harm the faith, morality, and harmony. "The Madani government will continue to uphold the principles of 'maqasid syariah' in national governance to preserve religion, morality, and dignity,' he said, while stressing that a deviant culture will never become the norm in Malaysia.- Bernama
