Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has suggested that Asean take a tougher stance against hate speech, including harassment based on gender or sexual orientation.
He said the legislation could be considered to compel digital platforms to take action on hate speech.
"Asean could also consider stronger legislation pertaining to hate speech that, among others, compels digital platforms to remove or/and mete out punishment for any speech wilfully promoting violence and attacks, be it verbal or physical, including but not limited to harassment and threats against a person or persons based on their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality," he said.
Muhyiddin said this in his keynote speech at the first online Asean Digital Ministers' Meeting today.
The prime minister's remarks come amid a push by his administration to legislate amendments to further prosecute the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
De facto Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Ahmad Marzuk Shaary on Wednesday said the government plans to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355) to correct the "wrongdoings" of the LGBT.
The PAS leader added that stern action was being taken against those who do not dress as required of their gender.
Ahmad Marzuk's stance against the LGBT comes two weeks after cosmetics entrepreneur Nur Sajat Kamaruzzaman - who is a transgender woman - claimed ill-treatment and assault on Jan 6, while being investigated by several Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) officers at its headquarters in Shah Alam.
Lawyers for Liberty said attacking the LGBT was meant to distract from real issues.
They argued that the Federal Constitution ensures that no one should be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender and that all must be treated equally before the law.
The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) also urged the government to be compassionate and amend Act 355 to bring it more in line with international human rights standards.
Amending Act 355 to allow states to enact harsher Syariah punishments has been a long-term goal for PAS and is used as a rallying cry to its supporters.
PAS is a key ally in Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional Plus government which is bleeding support as Umno seeks to cut ties with the prime minister's party Bersatu. - Mkini
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