KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa has made it clear that his recent meeting with transgender advocate Nisha Ayub does not signify his endorsement for the LGBT community.
“I would like to stress that my meeting with Nisha does not mean I agree fully with everything that is fought for (by the LGBT community).
“It also does not mean I endorse the community’s behaviour,” said the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs in a statement today.
Mujahid also made it clear that the issue of same-sex marriage was not discussed during his 40-minute meeting with Nisha.
The meeting was arranged following the controversial removal of Nisha and LGBT activist Pang Khee Teik’s portraits from an exhibition at the George Town Festival.
“Nisha said she was not informed that her picture would be used at the exhibition.
“She also said she does not mind that her portrait was taken down,” said Mujahid, who ordered the removal of the portraits on grounds that the government does not support the promotion of LGBT culture in Malaysia.
Mujahid reiterated that his meeting with Nisha centred on finding ways to end the discrimination against ‘mak nyah’, a local colloquial term for transwomen.
“Nisha also stressed that she is not an LGBT icon, but rather an activist who fights for the ‘mak nyah’ who are often sidelined (by the community).”
Following his meeting with Nisha on Friday (Aug 10), Mujahid had said any form of discrimination against people who are transgender in Malaysia must end.
“What is important now is that we must eliminate the culture of hate and discrimination against the (LGBT) community, especially at the workplace and in public spaces,” he said, adding that their rights as Malaysian citizens cannot be denied.