PETALING JAYA (Sinar Harian): The Government does not agree with efforts to allow a "third gender" in the country, says Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (pic).

       The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said this was similar to how Malaysia does not acknowledge the LGBTQ (lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community.

       He said that the government's stand had to be emphasised when delivering his message during an online conference with members of the Third Gender Implications Research Committee.

       "My principle is arguments need to be answered with arguments. So, a thorough argument needs to be put forward," he said in a Facebook post on Friday (June 25).

       Zulkifli said the conference was organised by the Department of Islamic development Malaysia (Jakim).

       In February, Zulkifli was reported to have said that Malaysia rejected the foreign policy of the United States' new administration that promoted LGBTQ rights.

       He said that the LGBTQ lifestyle does against the human norms.

       "Therefore it is against Islamic tenets and the government does not support any LGBTQ campaign in the country, " he said.

       The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) a few weeks ago posted an opening for a research post to study the feasibility of having legislation to recognise a third gender in Malaysia.

       This was met by flak and ridicule by many parties, especially on social media. – Sinar Harian