KUALA LUMPUR: The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, has affirmed that there have been no reported cases of same-sex marriages in the country.
Mohd Na'im stated that existing laws, specifically the Act and Enactments of Islamic Family Law, only recognise marriages between men and women.
He mentioned that in the records of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and state Islamic religious departments, there is no record of same-sex marriages being registered.
"That is very clear. In fact, if such a marriage were to take place and they intended to register it... this is impossible because the law does not permit it.
"As long as the marriage is valid under Islamic law, which is between a man and a woman, then the marriage can be registered," he said during the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Sri Gading member of parliament Aminoluda Hassan on whether Jakim has information about same-sex marriages following Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim becoming prime minister.
Earlier, Mohd Na'im mentioned that the government is continuously working to address LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) issues to prevent them from becoming more widespread through various ongoing efforts.
However, he noted that this issue requires attention and cooperation from all parties to support each other.
He mentioned that through the collaboration between Jakim and the Health Ministry, four series of Mukhayyam (rehabilitation camp) programmes within the LGBT community, involving a total of 220 participants, were successfully conducted throughout 2023.
"Through this programme, participants receive religious guidance and health awareness.
"Additionally, 14 series of The Training of Trainees for Prostar (Healthy Without AIDS Programme for Adolescents) 2.0 programmes were also successfully conducted in all states as advocacy, education and prevention programmes related to LGBT issues throughout 2023," he said.