Anwar grilled over LGBTQ rights question by CNN’s Amanpour
SHAH ALAM – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been criticised over his hesitancy to answer a question on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer plus (LGBTQ+) during an interview with CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour yesterday.
In an interview segment broadcast yesterday, Amanpour pointed out that Anwar had made a statement that Malaysia would never recognise LGBTQ+ rights and last month, stores that sold Swatch watches were raided and those who wore or sold the LGBTQ-themed watches could face imprisonment of up to three years.
She then asked whether she could wear LGBTQ Swatch watches in Malaysia and what the potential consequences might entail.
"I wouldn't defend that action. The law, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists there is a consensus in the country, that they do not accept this (LGBT), open public display of this.
“But for (us) to harass them, that is a different subject, I do not approve of any of them being harassed.
"The consensus of the people I have to respect. However, this should not be seen as harassment,” he said.
He said on the issue of raiding Swatch outlets, he could not defend the action of enforcement agencies but the consensus of Malaysians should be respected.
"Malaysia has laws and a constitution and we are obliged to adhere to these laws," Anwar said in his response to Amanpour's question.
Amanpour also broached the issue of the term 'sodomy,' which had been falsely attributed to him.
"I've made it quite clear that we need to review and amend the law. The law should not be abused or utilised, as it was in my case, for political prosecution.
"We have to respect the general sentiment of Malaysians. Nevertheless, I believe we should exercise some tolerance," he said.
Commenting on the post of the interview, X user @citizenlame questioned that if Anwar did not agree with the action taken against Swatch, why did he maintain the Home Minister.
Another user @wakkrik pointed out that Malaysia has laws, the constitution and religions.
“For Malaysians, we are obliged to follow this law. We also have our religion. Westerners version of human rights cannot and will not be applicable in all country,” the social media user wrote.
Several other users also criticised Amanpour for posing questions deemed less important for Malaysia.
“Dear Western journalists, our country has much more important issues to face instead of first-world problems. Corruption in the government, high costs of living, ringgit value, education and healthcare, political crisis, food security,” @mirbrandnew said.
Another user @timothyaida said while LGBTQ and climate change issues were important, they were issues the Western leftists were interested in.
“Did she ask about how Malaysia can eradicate poverty? The disabled? Improvement in Healthcare? Fate of the Indigenous people? Whilst LGBTQ and Climate change issues are important. It is the only issue these Western leftists are interested in,” he wrote.
