Malaysian LGBT+ activist accuses authorities of intimidation
Numan Afifi is pictured at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur April 26, 2019. ― Picture by Choo Choy May
The 27-year-old was questioned by police for an hour in Kuala Lumpur on Friday after an online backlash against statements given at the Council, which reviews the human rights record of each United Nations member state every five years. “I will keep speaking out because this is about our lives in this country — we need to speak out against discrimination.”In the statement he read to the UN, Afifi complimented the Malaysian government for backing recommendations on combating bullying in schools, a move LGBT+ campaigners believe could help protect the community.
Malaysia’s minister in charge of religious affairs decried the presence of LGBT+ groups at the march, calling it “a misuse of democratic space”.The minister’s statement came amid concerns over growing persecution of the LGBT+ community in the Muslim-majority country, where sodomy and other same-sex acts are outlawed.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad denounced the punishment but said Malaysia could not accept same-sex marriage or LGBT+ rights. Despite the current climate, Afifi said an anti-discrimination law to protect LGBT+ people within the workplace and anti-bullying campaigns in schools were now achievable.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rome Statute is not about LGBT or against Islam, forum told | Malay MailKUALA LUMPUR, April 27 - The Rome Statute is not against Islam and it is unrelated to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, a public forum on the international treaty was told today. G25 representative Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin noted that there has been attempts by a member...
Read more »
Anwar says will continue to uphold Islam, Malays as PM | Malay MailTANAH MERAH, April 28 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday said he would continue with the agenda to develop the country and help the people, especially the poor, when he is appointed the country’s eighth prime minister. He said when the time comes for him...
Read more »
How a gay student’s suicide after being outed is helping Japan’s LGBT community speak up
Read more »
LGBT people need safe mental health servicesLETTER | All agencies, including the Health Ministry, must review mental health guidelines and policies to ensure they depathologise LGBT people.
Read more »
Pakatan to win Malays over by reviving Felda, Tabung Haji, says PKR's Saifuddin | The Malaysian InsightThe minister says the government is not waiting for a spontaneous shift of support.
Read more »
Hadi reminds non-Malays of social contract to preserve harmony | The Malaysian InsightPAS president accuses non-Malays of becoming bolder in questioning the rights of Islam and Malay rulers.
Read more »
Authorities nab Malaysian woman at Chennai airport for carrying undeclared cash of US$67,600 | Malay MailNEW DELHI, April 25 ― A Malaysian woman was arrested at Chennai airport on her way to Kuala Lumpur today for carrying undeclared US$67,600 (RM280,229) in cash. “The customs authorities have informed us about the arrest and they are carrying out an investigation,” K. Saravanan, Malaysia's...
Read more »
JMM chief charged with criminal intimidation over call to attack police station | Malay MailKLANG, April 24 — President of a non-governmental organisation Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) Datuk Azwanddin Hamzah pleaded not guilty in separate Magistrate’s Courts today to two charges of criminal intimidation and intentional insult in December last year. Azwanddin, 46, claimed trial after...
Read more »
Rome Statute is not about LGBT or against Islam, forum told | Malay MailKUALA LUMPUR, April 27 - The Rome Statute is not against Islam and it is unrelated to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, a public forum on the international treaty was told today. G25 representative Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin noted that there has been attempts by a member...
Read more »
IGP denies Special Branch men involved in activist Amri’s ‘enforced disappearance’ | Malay MailKUALA LUMPUR, April 24 — Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun maintained today that no Special Branch officers from the federal police took part in the “enforced disappearance of Amri Che Mat. Now the inspector-general of police (IGP), Fuzi had been the head of the police’s intelligence unit at the...
Read more »
Lingerie label 6IXTY8IGHT is opening its first Malaysian store at Sunway Pyramid | Malay MailKUALA LUMPUR, April 22 — Heads up ladies, international fashion lingerie label 6IXTY8IGHT is set to open its doors in Malaysia soon at Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall. Launched in 2002, the Hong Kong brand is well-known for its fun and casual lingerie, homewear and apparel for young women at...
Read more »