KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 135 cases involving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) elements have resulted in arrests over the last four years, says Dr Zulkifli Hasan (pic).
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said the arrests were based on statistics from the Syariah Enforcement Division of the various state Islamic Religious Affairs Departments across the country.
In a parliamentary written reply dated Monday (Jan 26), he noted that such cases are within the jurisdiction of the respective state and are in accordance with Item I of List II of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
"The government is always attentive to matters related to Islam, especially the enforcement of Syariah criminal offences such as men impersonating women.
"Any individual suspected of involvement but lacking sufficient evidence will be given advice, counselling, or instructed to attend awareness and rehabilitation courses on offences that are contrary to morals and religious teachings.
"We will also continue to implement various dakwah programmes and special courses for this group with the aim of guiding them towards a better path.
"Certain forms of assistance will also be channelled to guide them into better employment opportunities and business ventures," he said in reply to Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu).
Rosol had asked about the number of arrests related to LGBT cases from 2022 to last year, as well as the number of individuals who have been reformed to ensure they do not engage in LGBT activities again.
