Amnesty International Malaysia has condemned a deputy minister’s call for the public to use the term “deviant culture” to replace references to the LGBTQ+ community.
In urging Putrajaya to reverse the decision, the group’s campaigner, Qistina Johari, said the deputy minister’s call has nothing to do with upholding morality but rather legitimising discrimination against an already vulnerable community.
“When public officials label LGBTQ+ people as ‘deviant’, they are not upholding morality - they are legitimising hate and discrimination against a highly vulnerable group.
“Words from those in power carry weight and real-world consequences. The use of such hateful terminology legitimises violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in Malaysia.
“Government leaders should never weaponise language against marginalised communities,” Qistina said in a statement today.
Yesterday, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli urged the public to use the term “deviant culture” to replace references to the LGBTQ+ community to avoid normalisation and curb the expansion of the related content algorithms on social media platforms.
She said the move was also intended to ensure consistent terminology in speech and writing, while avoiding indirect promotion.
Arrests and prosecutions
In December last year, pro-LGBTQ+ group Justice for Sisters recorded over 307 arrests between January and December based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
“LGBTQ+ people continue to be criminalised under both federal laws (Sections 377A and 377B of the Penal Code) and various state syariah laws, with overlapping, arbitrary, and inconsistent application - often in violation of legal precedents and the rule of law,” it said today.
The highest number of arrests occurred in Kuala Lumpur (220 people), followed by Pahang (31), Kelantan (21), Penang (13), Terengganu (12), Sabah (six), and Malacca (four).
Kelantan led the numbers in court charges (18), followed by Penang (13), Terengganu (12), and Pahang (10), while Sabah and Malacca had four each. No one was charged in court in Kuala Lumpur.
Notably, Penang and Terengganu charged all those arrested. - Mkini
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