During a speech at the first Asean digital ministers meeting on Jan 21, 2021, Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri 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 Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary. He has indicated that the government does not rule out the possibility of amending the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) to mete out harsher punishments on lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT). He has also urged the public to come forward with information pertaining to LGBT individuals so that authorities can take action against them.
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