KUALA LUMPUR: Claims that Malaysia is listed among the top five Asian countries with the highest transgender population cannot be verified, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
He said research on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Malaysia remains very limited, resulting in a lack of comprehensive data on the size of the population.
“Therefore, the claim that Malaysia is listed among the top five Asian countries with the highest transgender population, as reported in some digital media outlets, cannot be verified for accuracy,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
He was responding to Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN–Tampin), who had asked about the claims and the government’s actions to address the issue, which contradicts religious, moral and cultural values.
Na’im said that as a country which upholds Islam as the religion of the Federation and instils moral values based on customs, culture and religion, the government does not recognise the LGBT community.
He added that homosexual acts are against the laws of the country.
Na’im said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), in collaboration with State Islamic Religious Departments (Jain), has taken the initiative to engage with Muslim LGBT groups as part of the government’s intervention efforts.
Among the measures implemented by Jakim are the establishment of a Special Committee on Issues Related to LGBT Muslims in Malaysia, the development of the Islamic Social Action Plan (PTSI) 2019–2025, and the creation of Family and Community Social Service Centres (PKKSK).
He said the LGBT issue requires collective attention and cooperation from all parties.
Jakim’s approach, he added, focuses on guiding members of the LGBT community towards living in accordance with Islamic principles through various planned initiatives.
“Beginning with the Mukhayyam Programme and now through the Spiritual Guidance Camps (KBS), held three times a year, participants are given exposure and understanding on topics such as faith, religious obligations, health and self-motivation.
“Various programmes are also conducted in collaboration with Jain, the Health Ministry and higher education institutions, covering areas such as mental health awareness and the dangers of HIV/AIDS,” he said.
On July 3, Seasia, an independent online portal, uploaded an infographic on Facebook titled Asia’s Top 10 Countries with the Most Transgender Population, which listed Malaysia in fifth place with an alleged 24,000 transgender individuals.
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