TWO health groups have slammed a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academic over his discriminatory and bigoted comments against people living with HIV and the LGBTQ community. 

Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy and Malaysia AIDS Council have said comments by Assoc Prof Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim had demonised and disparaged these communities in a speech during a 2022 National World AIDS Day programme in Seremban yesterday.

Galen Centre chief executive officer Azrul Mohd Khalib said it is disgraceful and shocking that during that event, whose international theme this year is “Equalise”, Izhar, who is supposed to be learned and representing a religious studies department of an institution of higher learning sought to take such a position. 

“He sought instead to demonise and disparage these communities, illustrating the very inequalities and attitudes faced in daily life which are blocking the end of the AIDS pandemic,” he said in a statement today.

“He might think it is harmless, but his words have real world consequences. These communities include transgender persons and people living with HIV in Malaysia.  

“They encounter harassment, discrimination and physical and emotional violence.  

“In some extreme cases, transgender persons have become seriously injured or lost their lives. Perpetrators of abuse against them often act with impunity and escape unpunished.” 

Izhar, from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Faculty of Religious Studies, is alleged to have made the disparaging remarks at an event at Kompleks Belia dan Sukan Paroi, Seremban organised by the Health Ministry.  

He has allegedly told the transgender community to repent, that being an LGBT individual is a mental disorder and is the root cause of HIV, and that people in a “normal” relationship would not contract the infection. 

Azrul said Izhar has sent a terrible signal, which may cause an escalation of harmful and discriminating actions, both institutional and vigilantism, against these communities.  

“Where is his compassion and generosity of spirit?” he asked.

Mitch Yusmar Yusof, a senior fellow of Galen Centre and executive director of The SEED Foundation, emphasised that “the communities highlighted by Izhar have been and will always be a valuable and essential part of Malaysia’s diverse society”. 

He said they are a part of the country and her people and to degrade them is discrimination at its worse and is demonstrative of how much work Malaysians still have to do. 

“Izhar should have instead promoted a message of compassion, empathy and understanding towards these communities with the intention of helping and providing assistance,” said Mitch. 

“We are concerned that this message at an important health event will also create obstacles and barriers for people from these communities, including transgender persons, seeking health services.  

“Fear and discrimination discourage them from seeking treatment and care. They may have trouble finding alternative healthcare services if they are turned away.” – December 2, 2022.