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Thursday, July 10, 2014

NUCC: Protecting sexual minorities 'not recognition'


INTERVIEW An existing clause in the National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill proposed by the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) to protect sexual minorities from discrimination does not mean the “recognition” of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

In stressing this, NUCC member Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who chairs its working committee on Law and Policy, which proposed this bill and two others to the government, has come under pressure from both the LGBT community, which want the clause maintained and right-wing NGOs wanting the clause removed.

Being a parliamentarian from the Islamic party PAS, Mujahid himself is negotiating a tricky, sensitive territory, since this issue of sexual minorities is often treated high handedly by the government and by Islamic religious authorities as well.

But the second term Parit Buntar MP is clear in drawing a distinction, and believes that while he may not agree with the LGBT community’s lifestyle, they have a right to be protected as well.

“This has nothing to do with endorsing the LGBT community. The clause simply says one cannot be discriminated because of one's sexual orientation. This does not mean recognition. If someone is gay and is fired from his job because of that, then it is not right. That is what we are looking at,” Mujahid said.

Professionalism in workplace a need

He said the clause merely looks at the “professionalism and workplace” aspects of discrimination, and that trying to change the lifestyle of such individuals was a “different matter altogether”.

“I’m not saying that this (LGBT) is a good thing, but it doesn’t mean that I discriminate (against them). It’s like, I might disagree with you, but I will protect your right to disagree with me. That’s my attitude on this matter,” he explained.

However, this may not survive as a result of the severe political pressure it is facing.

Asked whether there is a lot of pressure to remove this clause, Mujahid quickly nods in agreement, while also admitting later on that NUCC may make concessions on a few clauses in order to achieve the overall objective of the National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill.

'The process is also important'

“As much as the content and substance are important, the process is also important.

“We want everyone to be involved – those at both extremes, be they anti- or pro-LGBT. We welcome their views and we will take their inputs, and we will see what the Malaysian public in general wants,” he said.

However, the anti-discrimination nature of the bill could also address other problems, such as lack of Malays being hired in the private sector and lack of non-Malays being hired in the public sector, Mujahid said.

“This bill aims to provide remedies for issues like these, and similarly, these issues can be addressed in the public sector as well.

“If a girl is turned away from an interview in a boutique just because she wears a tudung, we need to remedy that. You cannot deny her the right to be interviewed for a job because of her faith,” he added.

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