“It’s against human norms” Religious Minister Says M’sia Rejects US Pro-LGBTQI+ Initiative

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, has confirmed that Malaysia is rejecting the new United States (US) administrative foreign policy that seeks to promote the human rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and bisexuals (LGBTQI+) worldwide.

Berita Harian reported that the US administration also included individuals who identify as intersex (eunuchs) in the group. However, this is not supported by the Malaysian government’s stance because the intersex community differs from LGBT and is not something that violates human nature and has been discussed in depth from a science and fiqh perspective.

“LGBT has always been against human norms. Thus, it is against Islamic law and the government does not support any LGBT labelled campaign in the country.”

Datuk seri dr zulkifli mohamad al-bakri.

He added that the rejection of the campaign will be accepted by all races and religious communities in Malaysia. Secretary-General of the Association of Malaysian Scholars (PUM), Prof Dr Mohd Roslan Mohd Nor, slammed the move by US President, Joe Biden, which he deemed insensitive and could cause uncertainty to Muslims not only in the US but abroad.

Mohd Roslan also said that Biden’s move will be “motivation” for the LGBTQI+ community to fight for their rights. However, in an Islamic country such as Malaysia, it cannot be practised.

On 5 February, US President Joe Biden issued a historic memorandum committing the United States to promote LGBTQ rights on an international stage. According to NBC News, the Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World directs American agencies operating abroad “to ensure that United States diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons.”

In Malaysia, however, the opposite seems to be happening with the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religion),  Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, saying the existing sentence against the LGBT community of imprisonment up to three years, six strokes of the cane, and a fine is seen as light.

What do you think of the minister’s statement? Let us know in the comments section!

Also read: “Existing punishment is light” Dep Minister Wants Stricter Action Taken Against LGBT Community