Bangkok, February 18 Malaysian authorities have banned three LGTBI-themed books for going “against morals” in the Muslim-majority country, a move that has been criticized by various activists and NGOs like Justice for Sisters .
The books “The Tale of Steven”, “Jacob’s Room To Choose” and “Aku” (“I”) were banned in January under the Press and Publications Act, the Home Office reported in a communicated.
The ministry noted that the three banned books “contained content that could harm morality” while going against the “values of decency” taught by religion.
Justice for Sisters, an NGO that works for the rights of women and the collective LGTBI (lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, intersex and others), told EFE that the banning of the books is part of a growing criminalization of LGTBI expressions in Malaysia since 2020.
Thilaga clarified that Malaysia has numerous anti-LGBTI laws and policies at the national and regional levels with up to 55 laws based on ‘Sharia’ (‘Islamic law’), as well as the colonial-era Article 377. who punishes by flogging. non-heterosexual relationships.
Current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been jailed twice on sodomy charges by political opponents which he has denied, the last time being freed in 2018.
However, Thilaga said that Anwar himself had made “discriminatory statements” against the LGTBI community in the past and that his coalition advocated “reactionary” policies.
Justice for Sisters also said the country promotes conversion therapy for LGTBI people, which has been criticized by UN experts.
Last September, transgender businesswoman Nur Sajat, owner of a cosmetics brand, fled Malaysia after being accused of breaking Islamic law and, after being detained in Thailand, was eventually welcomed back to Australia.
The films “Beauty and the Beast” (2017) and “Thor: Love and Thunder” (2022) were removed from Malaysia for having scenes referencing the LGTBI collective.