Tourism Minister Says Homosexuality Does Not Exist in Malaysia

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin  bin Ketapi, when asked if Malaysia was a safe tourism destination for homosexuals, said: "Homosexuality? I don’t think we have such a thing in our country. I cannot answer whether it's safe or not.”

RELATED:

Malaysia: King Abdicates Throne, Steps Down Immediately

The remark has been criticized by opposition MCA deputy president Datuk Dr. Mah Hang Soon, who said that the statement made Malaysia a laughing stock. The MCA official said Mohamaddin simply had to say that, "Malaysia is a safe country and every tourist is safe here. Malaysia does not ask or care about the sexual orientation of tourists," Mah said, adding that all tourists who visit the country, "must respect the laws and cultural sensitivities of their host countries and it ends there."

It is illegal to engage in homosexual activity in the Muslim majority country which also lacks any anti-discriminatory legislation to protect people who are marginalized by their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Mohamaddin is being urged to clarify the statement, and not simply claim that he was misquoted by the Berlin daily, which has caused Malaysian citizens to outwardly question the competency of some ministers.

While at the ITB Berlin travel fair Monday, Mohamaddin denied the existence of homosexuality in the country, similarly to other ministers in the past who have been openly criticized for homophobic remarks. 

When a popular LGBT nightclub was raided, resulting in the arrest of 20 men for "illicit behavior," former Minister of Federal Territories Khalid Samad praised the act, saying, "hopefully this initiative can mitigate the LGBT culture from spreading into our society.”

Minister for Religious Affairs Mujahid Yusof Rawa has previously stated that the Malaysian government wishes to take initiatives to address the "growing LGBT issue" and "help them to return to the right path and lead a normal life."