IT is no secret that LGBT rights are non-existent in our country. Laws exist to persecute rather than to protect; moreover, Malaysian laws preserved the colonial-era penal code 377, which criminalises sodomy and carries a punishment of whipping or imprisonment for up to 20 years.

In other words, if your sexual orientation happens to be slightly different than the ‘norm’, you’re screwed.

For years, Prime Minister Najib Razak has repeated time and again that there is absolutely no need to defend LGBT rights. In several statements, comparisons between the LGBT community and Islamic State terror groups were established, both being enemies of Islam and both deemed too dangerous for our genteel society.

Just earlier this year, the Ministry of Health organised a video competition to raise awareness on sexual and reproductive health themed “Value Yourself, Healthy Lifestyle Practice”, where participants were instructed to show homosexuality as a deviation, explain its consequences and offer solutions to ‘cure’ it.

Such ‘gay preventive’ measures are not new in this country and for several years, ministries have taken it upon themselves to circulate ‘guidelines’ to help identify LGBTs and take corrective measures as if it were a disease that can be cured or an ailment that can be prevented.

Who can forget the ‘anti-gay camp’ which made headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2011, where approximately 60 schoolboys were reported to have been detained for four days to undergo religious re-education. According to officials, the camp’s objective was to guide these schoolboys back “to the proper path of life”.

Malaysians are being taught from early on that we are different, therefore ought to remain different simply because that is just how the Malaysian system is.

But the ruling regime only accepts and recognises individuals who are moulded straight from their right-wing cast. According to the Human Rights Watch 2015 World Report, “discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is pervasive in Malaysia”.

More recently, just earlier this month, Malaysians were shocked by the gruesome murder of 18 year old T. Nhaveen, who was targetted for being perceived as being too effeminate.

There are many reasons that trigger an individual or a group to commit something so vile. Racism, xenophobia, or homophobic ideologies, hatred of women, and mental illness are definite contributors, but what is also important to remember is that these attacks are obvious hate crimes that should be punished.

Hate crimes often terrorise an entire community or group of people with its main objective to strike fear into the hearts of certain factions within our society and to reinforce some distorted sense of masculinity or power. They are intent on sending a message to entire groups or individuals, as well as to their families and other supporters, that they are unwelcome in particular communities.

Overall, our government’s responses to the rise of bias-motivated violence have been simply inadequate – and that’s me being polite. Despite making official commitments to combat hate crime, many governments have yet to introduce necessary legislative tools, carry out official monitoring of incidents, or implement police training, educational, and community engagement programmes that would contribute to a more robust response to the problem.

Currently there are no legislations about hate crimes in the Malaysian constitution or even our law. Hate crimes are not criminalised and those who commit such crimes, be it verbally or physically, often escape with very little or in some cases, no punishment at all.

But this is where it becomes challenging for Malaysians. How can we push for such reforms when some individuals who have the power to make the changes refuse to lift a finger on the basis that it is bad for politics.

Our laws must send a clear signal that hate crimes are not acceptable. It is a transgression, an offense, motivated by prejudice, bigotry and hate. It undermines the diversity and tolerance that should be celebrated by every layer of society.

No doubt, reforms and creating a more inclusive society (which transcends gender, race, religion and sexual orientation) will take a significant amount of political will and political action.

The adage “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it” used to be good enough but in this day and age where extremism is becoming prevalent, keeping mum will do more danger than good.

Regardless of one’s sexual orientation, every individual ought to be given a platform to voice their concerns and must be protected from hate-motivated aggression.

Coming together against discrimination, against bigotry, against hate and celebrating our achievements, is what this country is about. After all, there are plenty issues to polarise the public debate, many political issues to discuss and to disentangle; the plight of the LGBT should not be one of them. – July 1, 2017.

* Syerleena is a councillor at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). She is a Malaysian who believes that our life experiences shape us into fascinating beings.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.