Anti-gay group calls on house speaker to quit
(Malaysiakin) – An anti-LGBT group is determined to stage a rally, regardless of police permit, against Dewak Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia, pressing for his resignation, for dismissing a motion barring such persons from being elected MPs.
Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) chairperson Azwanddin Hamzah (left) expressed disappointment that the speaker could wave away such an important issue, which he claimed was “raised by the people to be brought to Parliament”.
He was referring to a motion tabled by Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Hashim proposing the banning of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) individuals from becoming MPs or senators.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, he said the future of the country should not be determined by LGBT leaders, raising Israel’s ‘pinkwashing’ policies as an example he does not want Malaysia to emulate.
Guiding them back to right path
The representatives of other NGOs present were also in unanimous in calling for Pandikar’s resignation.
“We consider the LGBT (movement) as a serious threat to the country. All religions oppose this,” Azwanddin said, adding that the nation would face a “catastrophe” if this was not eradicated.
Clarifying that he was not opposing people who were “born” a particular way, he said he was against groups with a hidden agenda or plans to spread the “free sex LGBT lifestyle”.
“These people must be brought back to the right path, not continue to be encouraged in their ways,” he added.
When asked about the rights of the LGBT community, Azwanddin claimed to have “17 reports” of families splitting because “the husbands were involved in LGBT matters”.
“What about the rights of the wives, the children?” he asked.
“If you’re not married, you won’t understand,” he shot back at the reporter who had posed the question.
They were at the Dang Wangi police district headquarters yesterday to submit their application for a permit for their mass anti-LGBT rally.
They are hopeful for a favourable police response but insisted that they will persist with their planned rally regardless.
The group had announced its plans last Sunday to hold its rally at Dataran Merdeka on April 21.
