RELIGIOUS affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa played down the drastic increase in the number of homosexuals in the country, which is now estimated at 310,000.

The Parit Buntar MP said not all of the 310,000 were involved in same-sex relationships, adding that the figure also included those who were only expressing interest in homosexuality.

Earlier today, an official from the National Islamic Development Department (Jakim) told a conference in Penang that the number of homosexuals has increased from 173,000 five years ago.

Mohd Izwan Mohd Yusof, Jakim’s family, social and community development deputy director, said they made up 2% of the population, and 70% to 80% of them were Malays.

When asked to comment on this, Mujahid the numbers disclosed today needed to be dissected further and should not be taken generally.

“We can’t say all 300,000 of are involved in same-sex activities.

“We have to look at the numbers in detail. For the total, there are some who only have early interest in homosexuality and have not entered into same-sex relationship. We can’t generalise everyone to say all of them had done something wrong.

“Those that are only showing early interest in homosexuality, we can try to help them. There are also some involved in same-sex relationships, and then realise that it is bad and they return to the right path,” he told reporters in Parliament lobby.

He added that his ministry will handle the issue positively and proactively by holding programmes to explain to the public about LGBT issues.

“We will also counsel the LGBT community, telling them to control (their activities) and we want to do these in a positive way,” he said. – October 29, 2018.