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

HBO teases new season of ‘The Comeback’ among 2026 lineup

Steaming service HBO Max has given a sneak peek at next year's offerings.

The United Kingdolls are touring Australia this January

RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 favourites Bimini, Tayce, A'whora and Lawrence Chaney are coming down under.

Celebrate the new year with Fremantle Arts Centre’s annual concert

Spend the first day of 2026 than good vibes, great company and an outstanding selection of live local music.

Head down to The Rams ‘Have a Try’ day and give rugby a go

Is 2026 your year to take a new sport?

Newsletter

Don't miss

HBO teases new season of ‘The Comeback’ among 2026 lineup

Steaming service HBO Max has given a sneak peek at next year's offerings.

The United Kingdolls are touring Australia this January

RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 favourites Bimini, Tayce, A'whora and Lawrence Chaney are coming down under.

Celebrate the new year with Fremantle Arts Centre’s annual concert

Spend the first day of 2026 than good vibes, great company and an outstanding selection of live local music.

Head down to The Rams ‘Have a Try’ day and give rugby a go

Is 2026 your year to take a new sport?

The Year in Review | October 2025

There was podcast controversy, court challenges, badly named clubs and the Gay Games announcement!

HBO teases new season of ‘The Comeback’ among 2026 lineup

Steaming service HBO Max has given a sneak peek at next year's offerings.

The United Kingdolls are touring Australia this January

RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 favourites Bimini, Tayce, A'whora and Lawrence Chaney are coming down under.

Celebrate the new year with Fremantle Arts Centre’s annual concert

Spend the first day of 2026 than good vibes, great company and an outstanding selection of live local music.