Don’t discriminate LGBT at workplaces – minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual) community in Malaysia deserves equal rights as citizens of this country and they cannot be discriminated in any form, including at workplaces, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Deparment Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
He said the group also should not be deprived of justice.
“As long as citizenship is concerned, they cannot be discriminated in their workplaces or in other issues, cannot be deprived of justice,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby after the opening of the 14th Parliament by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V here yesterday.
He was asked to comment on LGBT activist Numan Afifi who had resigned as Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s interim press secretary following a backlash from antiLGBT groups.
On this, he pointed out that Numan had resigned voluntarily, and that it should not be an issue, unless there was proof that he was forced to do so.
However, Mujahid, who is in charge of Islamic affairs, stressed that Malaysia will not recognise the community.
“In terms of the laws, there is no such thing as recognition, there is only the right of citizenship,” he said.
“As far as sexual orientation is concerned, if done quietly and without challenging the system, then it is another issue.
“But if declared openly and proud about it, then that has an issue with values in our society and the laws that we have in our country,” he added.
He also added that the Malaysian Islamic Development Department has good programmes to engage the community, effectively rehabilitate and get them back to be normal again.