Premium Content:

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir says gay rights are "western values"

Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamad Mahathir says gay rights are a “western values” are argues that there is no need for them to be adopted in Malaysia.

- Advertisement -

The Malaysian PM was speaking to students at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok last week when he made the comments.

“At this moment, we don’t accept LGBT,” the 93-year-old leader told the students arguing that LGBT rights were incompatible with the “institution of marriage and institution of family.”

The PM said that while many western countries embraced LGBT rights each country should make their own decision.

“Sometimes Asians accept western values without questioning,” Mahathir said. “We should be free not to change our values according to their wishes.”

The PM’s comments were reported in the Nikkei Asian Review.

Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia but there is growing pressure on the government to change the laws, since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in India earlier this year the push for LGBT rights in Malaysia has intensified.

Last week Malaysia’s opposition leader was widely ridiculed when he suggested that the recent deadly earthquakes in neighbouring Indonesia had been caused by gay people.

OIP Staff


Latest

Eurovision check-in: Last year’s winner JJ shares new song ‘Shapeshifter’

New songs from past winner and this year's contestants.

Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season is underway

The flag has been raised above the Sydney Town Hall marking the start of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

On This Gay Day | Magda Szubanski came out on 'The Project'

Magda came out and showed her support for marriage equality.

Church of England abandons proposals for same-sex blessings

The church says it will continue to look at the issue, but has ruled out any change at this point.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Eurovision check-in: Last year’s winner JJ shares new song ‘Shapeshifter’

New songs from past winner and this year's contestants.

Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season is underway

The flag has been raised above the Sydney Town Hall marking the start of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

On This Gay Day | Magda Szubanski came out on 'The Project'

Magda came out and showed her support for marriage equality.

Church of England abandons proposals for same-sex blessings

The church says it will continue to look at the issue, but has ruled out any change at this point.

Sussan Ley will walk away from parliament after losing leadership

After being deposed as leader Sussan Ley has announced her retirement from political life.

Eurovision check-in: Last year’s winner JJ shares new song ‘Shapeshifter’

New songs from past winner and this year's contestants.

Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season is underway

The flag has been raised above the Sydney Town Hall marking the start of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

On This Gay Day | Magda Szubanski came out on 'The Project'

Magda came out and showed her support for marriage equality.