GEORGE TOWN: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa’s directive to remove the portraits of two lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists from a photography exhibition here has received the full backing of the Penang Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and Penang Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Youth wing.
State Amanah Youth chief Mohd Saifullah Abd Nasir said while they have nothing against the LGBT community, their lifestyle should be kept private.
He said the majority of Malaysians too could not accept the open promotion of the LGBT community.
“Our policy, as often repeated by our leaders, is clear that it is their choice to be part of the LGBT community... it is between them and God. We respect that as part of human rights, but it should be kept private.
“If it is openly promoted, then it is transgression into public space. It will create uneasiness. That is unacceptable, more so in the Malaysian’s setting,” he told a press conference here today.
It was reported that the portraits of LGBT activists Nisha Ayub and Pang Khee Teik were ordered to be removed from the Stroke and Stripes exhibition at the month-long George Town Festival (GTF) 2018 following complaints.
The two 18.2m x 18.2m photos of Nisha and Pang by photographer Mooreyameen Mohamad were part of a 28-piece art exhibition at Dewan Sri Pinang in conjunction with Malaysia’s 61st Merdeka celebrations from Aug 4 to Sept 2.
The other portraits of Malaysians featured with the Malaysian flag included DAP’s Lim Kit Siang, PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar, and lawyer Siti Kasim.
Saifullah said everyone should adhere to the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara and maintain good behaviour and morality.
“We call on the majority of Malaysians who disagree to the open promotion of LGBT to voice up against it. They can do so like us today or through social media,” he added.
Saifullah said despite being a new Malaysia, Pakatan Harapan still needed to take into consideration rural voters’ feelings, who have contributed to their victory in the 14th General Election.
“We are speaking for them as well, the majority of whom are against the open promotion of the LGBT community,” he noted.
Meanwhile, state Bersatu Youth chief Muhd Shameer Mohd Sulaiman also voiced support for Mujahid’s directive, saying the open promotion of LGBT is not a norm among Malaysians.