LGBT must not be discriminated against: Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: While the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community are still subjected to the civil and syariah laws in the country, they must not be discriminated and criminalised at their workplace.
That is the stand of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (pix), who said such actions would only push the group into getting involved in the sex industry.
According to the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, some 80% of transgenders are currently involved in the industry.
"Our country has provisions under the civil law touching on this issue, such as Section 377A of the Penal Code, as well as syariah law. So the LGBT group's lifestyle must still be subjected to these laws.
"At the same time, their basic rights as human and citizens of the country must be protected. They must not be oppressed, persecuted and mistreated at their workplace.
"If this carry on, then this group will remain active in the sex industry, when the government is trying its best to get them out of there," he said during the question and answer session in parliament, here, today.
Mujahid said the government, through Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), was also consistent in its efforts to engage the group in an outreach programme meant to give them counselling.
The minister added that sex education must no longer be regarded as something taboo in the country, saying it was vital to avoid the youth being involved sexual activities.
"Sex education of course starts at home. But we must no longer consider it as taboo. We must look at sex education as something that can educate our children so that they are not involved in unhealthy activities," he said.