TOURISM, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi is of the view that there are no gays in Malaysia, according to German news outlet Deutsche Welle.

The minister, who was in the country ahead of the ITB Berlin Tourism fair, reportedly tried to dodge a question on whether Malaysia was a safe country for homosexual and Jewish visitors.

Malaysia is a partner of the fair. 

“I don’t think we have anything like that in our country,” the minister said when asked again if gays were welcomed. 

The statement was reportedly made after he had spoken of Malaysia’s natural beauty and welcoming culture.

The report said despite efforts by Malaysian officials to downplay the situation, the comments may derail efforts to lure more tourists to Malaysia, especially after having set a target of attracting some 30 million tourists this year.

Malaysia was subjected to backlash over its attitude to certain groups of people, including German politician Volker Beck who criticised Putrajaya for its policy against homosexuals and Jews. 

Last year, Malaysia’s intolerance for the LGBT culture came under the limelight, after portraits of activists Nisha Ayub and Pang Khee Teik were removed from a photography exhibition at the George Town Festival 2018, on the order of minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was reported as saying in September that Malaysia will not recognise LGBT culture or same-sex marriage in the country as it does not subscribe to Western values.

Meanwhile, in January, Malaysia again courted controversy when it announced Israeli athletes were banned from competing at the World Para Swimming Championship that was supposed to be held in Sarawak this year. 

This resulted in Malaysia being stripped of its hosting rights by the International Paralympic Committee. – March 6, 2019.