Malaysian government MP Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa has called for an end to discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people in Malaysian workplaces.
Dr Mujahid, who as a Minister oversees Islamic affairs, said there was no reason to bar anyone from the Malaysian civil service provided they comply with the social values and workplace culture, and all Malaysians were constitutionally afforded such protection regardless of their sexuality.
“Any citizen of Malaysia is free and cannot be discriminated in the workplace or deprived of the right to justice.
“As far as sexual orientation is concerned, if they keep quiet and do their work without challenging the system there is no issue, but if they declare openly and feel proud then that will clash with our Islamic values and society, as well as the law that we have in our country,” he told reporters earlier this month after making similar comments in parliament.
His comments come after a media spokesperson for the Youth and Sports Minister was pressured to step down from his appointment because he had previously advocated for LGBTI rights.
Dr Mujahid later told reporters that Malaysian society needed to be more accepting of LGBTI people, noting that transgender people faced significant disadvantage.
“What’s shocking is that 80% of transgender group are involved in the sex industry.” Dr Mujahid said arguing that if people want to see a reduction of people working as sex workers they need to able to move into other forms of employment.
“This is why we should understand the importance of stopping discrimination at their workplace. We should give them a job if they have a certificate and their qualified.
The politician said Malaysia could still have “stern” laws outlawing the act of homosexuality without people being hit or arrested. “Is that what the pubic want?” Dr Mujahid asked, before saying “I don’t think so.”
“It is impossible for the government to bow to this kind of barbaric and uncivilized act.” he said.
Dr Majahid said members of the public who wanted action taken against the LGBTI community needed to rethink their position, arguing that long-term outreach programs were more effective that disciplinary punishments.
The politician said the government was committed to ensuring that LGBTI lifestyles were not promoted and homosexual acts remained illegal, but other rights such as being free of discrimination in the workplace co-exiting in the constitution.
OIP Staff
