KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa has clarified that he has not given any instruction to transgender people to access female public toilet.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, in charge of religious affairs, said the remarks made on Friday was not a decision or order from his department.
"It was not a final decision nor an instruction, but merely my spontaneous response (to a question from a journalist).
"I would like to stress, there has been no instruction or permission from me for the transgender people to share the women's toilet...only 'maybe' or 'if'...
"The same also goes with the position during prayers.
"Whatever it is, I apologise to all parties who felt offended by the confusion which has arisen and I retract any remarks deemed inappropriate," he said in a statement today.
He added that all such matters must be further discussed by the muftis to come up with the best decision.
He added that he would also continue using soft engagement with the community and that Malaysian Religious Development Department (Jakim) has also used similar method for its target groups, including transgenders.
“However, the soft engagement does not mean that the government supports their conduct,
“But at the same time we need to make sure that no one in the community will stray further due to tough approach and how others are judging them at an early stage.” he said.
The remarks reportedly came after Mujahid's recent meeting with transgender advocate Nisha Ayub, where he highlighted the need for society to end the discrimination against the transgender community.
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.
On Saturday, Mujahid said the meeting with Nisha did not signify his endorsement for the LGBT community.
He added that issue of same-sex marriages was not discussed as highlighted by some quarters, adding that the meeting was more about addressing the discrimination and problems faced by the transgender community.