PARLIAMENT | The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is consistent in its stance towards the LGBTQ+ community, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
Na’im said this in defence of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that the community should not be harassed, despite the country’s strict ban on LGBTQ+ content.
“Jakim and the government have given a strict stance on the issue of LGBTQ+, which is (a practice that is) unacceptable in the Islamic community.
“What Tambun (Anwar) meant is in the context of recognition, as this group has certain rights under the Constitution, such as education and more,” he said.
The minister was responding to a supplementary question from Ahmad Saad Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena) who asked for Jakim’s stance with regards to Anwar’s statement.
In an interview with journalist Christiane Amanpour last month, Anwar said that he did not approve of any harassment towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Anwar said this in response to Malaysia's stance on the matter following the government’s ban on Swatch’s Pride collection watches.
Asked if he would like to see the enforcement be changed, the prime minister replied in the affirmative.
“Of course. The consensus of the people, I have got to respect but that should not be seen as harassment,” he said.
Earlier, Na’im told the lower house that Jakim was working with various ministries - including the Health Ministry - in efforts to curb “perverse activities” such as being a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person.
He added that as of this year, 220 participants have been involved in ‘Mukhayyam’ programmes to provide religious guidance and health awareness.
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