Malaysia is said to oppose LGBTQ culture in the country, and any effort to normalize LGBTQ is against the Federal Constitution, existing laws and official policy. This is according to a statement released by Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).
This statement stemmed from reports reaching the Islamic extremist government official that a Pride event themed “Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness” is being planned in Malaysia.
Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, thereby, ordered for this to be investigated so that the police can take “appropriate actions” if there are breaches in the existing anti-LGBTQ law of the country.
“I view seriously the reports regarding the organization of a program themed ‘Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness”, which was allegedly aimed at celebrating Pride Month, as circulated on social media recently. The organization of such programs, even if held behind closed doors, clearly challenges societal norms and religious values upheld by the majority of Malaysians,” Mohd Na’im Mokhtar’s statement stressed.
For the politician, the government will “continue to uphold the principles of ‘maqasid syariah’ in national governance to preserve religion, morality, and dignity”, stressing that a “deviant culture” will never be the norm in Malaysia.
Mohd Na’im Mokhtar was appointed by Anwar Ibrahim to be a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Religious Affairs. As an extremist, he previously served as chief judge of the Shariah Court, and was director-general of the Shariah Judiciary Department (Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Malaysia, JKSM) from 2018 to 2020.
Mohd Na’im Mokhtar also called on the Pride event organizers to immediately cease any activities that “violated the nation’s laws and society’s moral values.” Similarly, “religious agencies, including the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the state of Islamic departments, are also urged to be ready to play their enforcement role, particularly if Muslims are involved.”
