PM urged to take stand on LGBT as 'Pride' products enter Muslim Malaysia

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been urged to explain the government's stand on the LGBT movement, as multinational companies introduce products based on lifestyles considered taboo in Muslim-majority countries such as Malaysia and in the wake of raids by the home ministry and the confiscation of rainbow-coloured watches from the Pride collection of popular Swiss watchmaker Swatch. 

While many Muslims on social media appeared supportive of the move, some had also asked how products linked to the LGBT or lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender movement had entered the country to begin with. 

Syed Ahmad Israa' Syed Ibrahim, the CEO of independent think tank Iris Institute, said Anwar should explain the country's stance to curb the spread of deviant beliefs. 

If the issue is not properly addressed, he said, and if the LGBT ideology spreads in Malaysia, it could further affect Malay support for the government which is already under fire over a number of other issues including the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said the government should be firm and follow in the footsteps of Qatar, which acted against those who openly supported the LGBT movement during the 2022 Fifa World Cup. 

"We see it as a deviant value – most Malaysians do," he added. 

"If the government allows this to happen, it will be seen as a sign that it is not serious about preserving the sovereignty and values of this country." 

In March, DAP leader Nga Kor Ming had expressed the government's stand against the LGBT ideology, sparking a fierce backlash from several NGOs. 

But Syed Ahmad Israa' said that Anwar, as prime minister, should explain the issue himself as statements by leaders of a lower rank could invite criticism. 

"It is the prime minister who should step forward and explain why it is important for Malaysia, as an Islamic country, to reject LGBT so that other countries understand and no negative perceptions arise," he said. 

"Then Cabinet members can follow up on it to reflect the stance of the prime minister." 

Former Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong meanwhile urged the government to be fair and consistent, noting a lack of action over LGBT-linked products marketed by technology giant Apple. 

According to the official Apple website, the "Pride Edition Sport Band", an Apple Watch accessory, is being sold for RM199. 

However, checks at several branches of Machines, the largest Apple reseller in Malaysia, found that the product is not on display. 

While the global Apple website describes the band as a celebration of the LGBT community, the Malaysian Apple site does not. 

When contacted by MalaysiaNow, Wee asked why the government had not acted against Apple as it did with Swatch. 

He added that this reflected double standards on the part of the administration. 

"The government needs to be fair and consistent," he said. 

"I'm not particularly concerned about the LGBT issue, but when we talk about fair treatment, the government cannot cherry-pick when taking action."