During a speech at the First Asean Digital Ministers’ Meeting on 21 January, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin made a statement calling for tougher laws in Asean countries to act against hate speech.
This includes harassment and threats against anyone based on their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or nationality.
The Malaysian Bar wholeheartedly welcomes this statement, especially as it comes shortly after the recent controversial statements made by the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Ahmad Marzuk Shaary. He had indicated that the government does not rule out the possibility of amending the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 to mete out harsher punishments on LGBT. He had also urged the public to come forward with information pertaining to LGBT individuals so that authorities can enforce action against them.
The stance taken by the deputy minister could very likely create adverse ramifications for the LGBT community. The LGBT community are entitled to protection under Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution and their rights are enshrined under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments.
One should not be subject to inequality by virtue of one’s sexual orientation, as the prime minister had aptly said in his speech. The LGBT community deserves to be treated equally and with respect, without the fear of being harassed or threatened.
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Meting out harsher punishments through legislative amendments is not a solution, and this may result in heightened discrimination towards the LGBT community.
The Malaysian Bar takes the view that all individuals, regardless of their sexual or gender orientation, should enjoy fundamental human rights accorded to every citizen of this country, and be shielded from all forms of harassment so long as the laws of this country are observed.
The Malaysian Bar urges the deputy minister to get his priorities in order, especially during these difficult times brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. He ought to be devising plans and strategies on how to improve the lives of the public through his ministry, and to alleviate the burden of the rakyat. He should refrain from making remarks that are reckless and not conducive to the wellbeing of our nation during the pandemic.
Salim Bashir is president of the Malaysian Bar
This piece is reproduced from here and has been edited for style only.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme