- Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar

COMMENT | You have to ask yourself, are you part of the majority that endorses Na’im’s views, or are you part of the minority that views LGBTQ+ as members of the Malaysian family?

Last year, as reported in the press, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said, “Sexual crimes against children are on the rise in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah when compared to 2022 and 2023. At the same time, they were decreasing in Penang.”

Sealthedeal : Let's call it what it is. It's an overwhelmingly Malay Muslim cultural problem. It's clear these backward fools who demonise and bully the LGBQT minority are doing it to divert attention from the child abuse which is prevalent in their society. 

They should always be loudly called out for their hypocrisy whenever they attempt to intimidate the LGBQT community until they are too embarrassed and ashamed of their own cultural scandal. That goes for Na'im on down. Call them out!

Proarte: When Anwar, who is a convicted sodomist became Prime Minister, there was hope he would foster a more rational and kinder society given he claims he was a victim of political persecution. 

Minorities like the LGBTQ community felt that “ Reformasi “ which was Anwar’s clarion call since 1998, and which was instrumental in finally bringing him to power, would be put into effect. They felt their rights and constitutional guarantees for equality before the law and non-discrimination based on gender would be respected under Madani. 

However, they have felt betrayed with Madani projecting a hostile attitude towards this demographic which throughout history has been irrationally reviled and persecuted by the powers that be. The LGBTQ was so hopeful that emancipation would come their way given the PM had been the victim of LGBTQ persecution. 

What shocked the LGBTQ community was the speed at which the humiliation of the LGBTQ became a reality so soon after the formation of Madani. A whole string of episodes hit the headlines, the most ridiculous of which was the raiding of Swatch watch shop and confiscating watches which where deemed to have “ LGBT elements“. 

Since then, the LGBTQ community knew that they were sold down the river by Madani and they were going to be the virtue signalling fodder of Madani as an example of its toughness on “ immoral behaviour “. 

Anwar was persecuted by the governments of the day who relentless portrayed him as a predatory homosexual and managed to convict him twice over sodomy related crimes. It is important to note that Anwar has firmly denied his guilt saying he was a victim of politician persecution. 

The current persecution of the LGBTQ is to my mind a case of “ projection “ with Anwar studiously projecting his innocence over his sodomy conviction and alleged homosexual tendencies. 

Unfortunately, a year after Anwar’s pardon and release from prison, a young man called Rawther has claimed he was homosexually molested by Anwar and the case is slated to go for trial. However, there has been talk of Anwar wanting immunity from the trial whilst he remains Prime Minister. 

The source of LGBTQ persecution in the main has been Judeo-Christian attitudes towards homosexuals who saw them as unGodly and hence the British colonials instituted irrational and vicious legislation during the Victorian period against male homosexual expression. 

Interestingly, Queen Victoria did not believe that Lesbian sexual behaviour existed hence there was no legislation against Lesbian sexual behaviour. The sodomy laws do not only affect homosexual men but even heterosexuals. Oral sex too is illegal and hence most sexually active heterosexuals in Malaysia have flouted Section 377 of the penal code. 

When a law criminalises virtually the whole of the adult population, it is clearly unjust and should be repealed. Countries like India and Singapore which espouse “ Eastern Values " have repealed Section 377 in recent years. Sadly, Madani does not have the moral clarity and sense of justice to repeal Section 377 to its shame.