An aide to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohammaddin Ketapi has defended the latter's statement as in line with the government's stance that the LGBT culture is not recognised in Malaysia.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, the aide, who wished to remain anonymous, also described the minister's statement as his personal view.
“Tourists coming to Malaysia like any other country are welcome regardless of their creed, sexuality, religion or colour,” he added.
This comes in the wake of news reports from Germany which quoted the minister as telling reporters in Berlin that Malaysia did not “have anything like” homosexuals.
Mohammaddin said this ahead of the opening of the travel and trade fair ITB Berlin yesterday when asked if Malaysia was a safe place for Jews and homosexuals, and if homosexuals would be welcomed.
"I don't think we have anything like that (homosexuals) in our country,” he was quoted as saying.
Malaysia is a partner of the ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair.
It was previously reported that German politician Volker Beck had protested over Malaysia's involvement in the fair.
He labelled the country homophobic and anti-semitic over the country’s insistence it would refuse entry to Israeli athletes participating in the World Para-Swimming Championship.
Malaysia has long courted criticism by rights groups over its handling of LGBT rights.
Putrajaya has repeated its stance that the LGBT culture is not accepted in the country, despite the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) estimating there are some 31,000 LGBT people in Malaysia.
Even so, the cabinet had criticised the move by the Terengganu state government in whipping two women after they were caught attempting same-sex relations last year. - Mkini
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