KUALA LUMPUR: The government says it is firm in opposing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups, following calls during a rally in Kuala Lumpur to recognise their rights.
“I am shocked by the actions of a handful of people today who abuse the democratic space to defend practices that are against the Islamic teachings,” said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
“How can we recognise something that is against the law. In fact, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has also reaffirmed the government’s stand in this issue,” he said.
Mujahid was commenting on a rally in conjunction with the International Women’s Day in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman earlier today.
Several groups including Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Sisters in Islam (SIS) and LGBT activists reportedly joined the rally.
Among others, the rally demanded an end to gender-based violence.
Mujahid said it was up to the home ministry to take firm action against the organisers for holding a rally without a permit.
Meanwhile, Dang Wangi police chief Shaharuddin Abdullah said police would call the rally organisers soon.
He confirmed the rally did not have a permit because the notice was submitted to the police in less than 10 days before it was held.
He said organisers would be investigated under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.