PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya affirmed on Tuesday night that Malaysia will not budge from its stand on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issue.
“We must stand fast to our principles as a sovereign Islamic nation,” he said in response to a comment made by Hollywood superstar George Clooney, who said that a “warning shot” had been fired at Malaysia and Indonesia against implementing harsh anti-LGBT laws announced in Brunei.
“I think (Clooney) had better watch what he says,” Marzuki added.
In March, the Oscar-winning star led calls for a boycott of hotels worldwide owned by the Sultan of Brunei over his nation’s plans to impose the death penalty, including death by stoning, for gay sex or adultery, as it rolled out further Islamic laws.
Following a global outcry, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah backtracked from his earlier plans.
Asked if Malaysia supports the death penalty as part of anti-LGBT laws, Marzuki firmly said “no”.
“(However), we will stand our ground as a nation under a constitutional monarchy, with Islam as its official religion.
“(If something) is against Islam, we will reject it,” said Marzuki at the Bersatu Iftar programme here, last night.
During an appearance on the US talk show Ellen recently, the Ocean’s Eleven actor discussed the boycott and economic pressure brought to bear on Brunei – and the country’s eventual U-turn on its anti-LGBT laws.
But Clooney sparked an online backlash when he compared Brunei, an absolute monarchy, with Malaysia and Indonesia – with regional LGBT activists pointing out major differences between the tiny country and its larger democratic neighbours.