ALOR STAR: The affirmation of the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community must take into account not only their rights as citizens but also help them return to their original identities.
Deputy Minister of Human Resources Datuk Mahfuz Omar said the community needed to be helped to return to their original identities with a soft approach and education, while not pushing them to the fringes.
The Pokok Sena member of parliament said the department had no record of discrimination against LGBT members so far.
However, he acknowledged the possibility that it may still exist as these cases may go unreported due to fears of reprisals such as through being fired from work.
“In defending their (rights), it must be in line with their rights as citizens and not affirming every single wish of them as a whole.
“For example in aspects of (public) restrooms and prayer areas, if they (LGBT members) are men, then just use the Gents. A person need to realise their original birth (gender). Otherwise, there would be chaos in our society.
“What is important is that we need to work together to raise awareness and give help so that those involved (LGBT members) could return to their original identities.
“If they were originally men, then they need to return to being men, and the opposite as well (if originally women, return to being women),” he said.
He was speaking when met at the SK Convent Alor Setar Excellence Award 2018 at the Kedah State Public Library Corporation.
Mahfuz was responding to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Muhajid Yusof Rawa’s urging for society to avoid discriminating the LGBT community.
Two days ago, Mujahid reportedly said that the public’s refusal to accord equal treatment to the LGBT community have caused them unable to look be independent, causing them to get involved in prostitution.
He was speaking after having met with an activist for equal treatment for LGBT.
Mahfuz said the people must not look at the matter in a wrong way as it must be seen in the context of helping the LGBT community return to their original identity and lead a normal life.
“We must not look at the group as a threat and danger but (we need to) find a way to save the new generation which is our children, who we must educate on their identities from school.
“If parents and teachers see children get involved in improper behaviour whether (acting as) soft men or rough women, then they must be helped immediately to return to their original identities.
“Do not rebuke, insult or belittle the group as such methods would not resolve the problem,” he said.
