‘WE CANNOT ACCEPT LGBT, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE’
Country has a different value system than the West, says prime minister
TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad says Malaysia has a different value system than the West, adding that Malaysia cannot accept the culture.
PRIME Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday told the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) that Malaysia has a different value system than in the Western world.
He said while the government agreed with Suhakam on certain issues, Malaysia could not accept the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture and same-sex marriage, even though they were considered basic human rights in the West.
“Suhakam presented its proposals to us just now, including one on amending the Suhakam Act.
“While we agree with Suhakam (on certain things), we have to remind Suhakam that Malaysia has a different value system than the Westerners. For instance, we cannot accept LGBT, as well as the marriage between man and man, or woman and woman.
“The concept of family remains the same: that it (constitutes) couples with their children or adopted ones,” he said after chairing the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption meeting.
Other than that, he added, it would not be considered a family.
In July, Suhakam was reported as saying that the government must stand up for everyone while firmly upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
All human beings, including those from the LGBT community, should be provided access to among others, education, employment, housing and healthcare services without discrimination, Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail has said.