UNIVERSITI Malaya students have called on the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to organise more balance programmes on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

“In Malaysia, there are many communities, and more LGBT activists should be included in these programmes. They should work together and see what issues need to be resolved,” said Azmina Azlin, 22.

“Maybe, the organisers are afraid that students will be influenced if there are more panellists involved in the programmes.”

She said UM students were not easily influenced and could think for themselves.

Jakim organised an LGBT awareness programme at the university today, which was attended by some 300 students.

The religious authority invited transgender Mohamed Bakri Abu Bakar, also known as Kak Jun, and a former lesbian, who wants to be known only as Rynn, to speak about their experience.

The duo told students how Jakim had helped them deal with the issues they faced.

Student Carlson Chew said civil society group Transgender Justice for Sisters and LGBT activist Nisha Ayub should be called to attend the Jakim programme.

“I’m sure they are willing to attend. Maybe Jakim can have another programme and invite the activists to express their views.”

A student, who wants to be known only as Daren, said the programme was a good initiative by Jakim as previously, issues involving the LGBT community were discussed only behind closed doors as they were deemed sensitive in Malaysia.

“This is the first step that they (Jakim) are taking by inviting students to attend the programme. However, it can be improved.

“They should invite those who are still part of the LGBT community instead of those who have left it. These people should be invited to discuss the issues they face.”

Daren agreed with Chew that Jakim should invite Transgender Justice for Sisters and Nisha if it planned to conduct the programme again.

“Jakim should invite more people, not just two people who are former LGBT, to explain their point of view.

“This is to show those who are in the LGBT community that there is help. This is not about supporting LGBT or otherwise, but it’s about basic human rights.”

Norwahizatul Wahed, 22 said she attended the programme to learn more about the LGBT community.

“We never knew about how LGBT folk came to embrace that kind of lifestyle until we attended the programme. What we heard today was, it’s because they’ve had the urge since they were young.

“It’s an internal feeling they experience and not due to external factors, like boys who play girly games like ‘masak masak’.”

She disagreed with the view that those who embraced the LGBT lifestyle were condemned to hell.

“We are not God to judge them. It is between them and God. We can only educate them and show them the right path.

“We are always ready to help any LGBT member who needs assistance.” – October 13, 2017.