Minister’s office says it views debate controversy seriously

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa has repeatedly stressed that the LGBT movement will not be recognised in the country.

KUALA LUMPUR: The office of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department today said it viewed seriously the issue surrounding the 2019 Tun Razak Cup English language debate competition, which included topics that touched on sensitive issues related to Islam.

A statement by the office said such topics showed a lack of respect towards the religion and were inappropriate to be debated in Malaysia, which is a multiracial and multi-religious country with Islam as the official religion of the federation.

“Although they have offered an ‘apology’, the office takes this issue seriously because the joint statement issued by the co-chief adjudicators on the topics concerned is completely unacceptable.

“Nowadays, there are many other relevant issues to be debated such as corruption, accountability and justice. So, why is it necessary to choose such controversial topics? They should instead focus on topics that promote nation-building,” it said.

The statement also drew attention to the fact that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa have repeatedly stressed that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) movement would not be recognised in the country. - FMT