THE term lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) has been in use since the 1990s. It is an umbrella term relating to sexuality preferences and gender identity.
It is broadly used to refer to anyone who is non-heterosexual or non-cisgender (people who do not have the same sex and gender, but do not identify as transgender).
Malaysia does not recognise LGBT culture or same-sex marriage as it does not subscribe to Western values. This was conveyed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently. He said while the government agreed with the Malaysian Human Rights Commission on many human rights issues, some things were meant only for the West.
Promoting LGBT activism is common, especially in foreign films and television shows.
This is where the Film Censorship Act 2002 comes in. The Malaysian Film Censorship Board can censor obscene content according to the film censorship guidelines for reasons of security, public order, religion, socio-culture, decorum and morality.
The censorship guidelines are meant to protect people from the negative influences that can result from watching such films.
A film containing LGBT scenes may stimulate people to be influenced by its content. It may affect future generations because children tend to learn and imitate what they see and hear.
Last year, there was a bit of a brouhaha when a four-minute scene was cut from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
The scene depicted a gay moment and was considered inappropriate.
However, the movie was allowed to be screened without cuts, but with a P13 rating, which prohibited children below 13 from watching the film unless accompanied by an adult.
Malaysian Film Censorship Board chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid said scenes promoting homosexuality were banned unless they showed that the characters had repented.
Same-sex activity is illegal in Malaysia and is punishable by whipping and up to 20 years’ jail under Section 377 of the Penal Code.
DR MD ZAHIDUL ISLAM
Assistant professor, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia