Deputy minister says move aims to prevent normalisation of LGBT references in public discourse.
PETALING JAYA: The government has moved to standardise references to “LGBT,” calling for the term be discontinued and replaced with “deviant culture” effective immediately, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli (pic) said the move was aimed at ensuring consistent terminology and preventing what the government views as the normalisation of such matters in public discourse.
She stressed that the government remains firm in rejecting any efforts to promote what it describes as deviant practices and does not recognise such conduct under any circumstances.
“Our concern is that if the term “LGBT” becomes excessively normalised, it may eventually influence social media algorithms to further amplify and expand related content.
“As we are aware, the more a term is mentioned, searched, or discussed, the more content associated with it appears on digital platforms,” she said, adding that in this day and age, the presence of LGBT-related content on social media cannot be denied, and there is no legal provision that recognises what is referred to as deviant culture.
She also said there is also concern that children may become curious and begin searching for what “LGBT” means.
“This recommendation was proposed by the Minister himself, and I agree with the use of this terminology because we do not want algorithms to grow wider and more pervasive in a manner that appears as though such culture is being promoted.”
Marhamah said among the contributing factors identified are the family institution itself, peer influence, and social media.
“There are numerous causes and contributing factors behind the occurrence of such practices.
Through careful study of each factor, specific initiatives, action plans, and outreach programmes have been developed to address and manage those underlying causes.”
Marhamah said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) together with the State Islamic Religious Departments and NGOs, has rolled out programmes to guide individuals involved in what it calls deviant practices, referring to them as the “Hijrah Community.”
She said since 2011, the Islamic Spiritual Guidance Camp has been held three times a year, reaching a total of 2,708 participants as of October 2025, and the programme continues to run.
Other initiatives have also been implemented, including academic multaqa’ (scholarly discourses), Friday sermons and mosque takmir programmes to emphasise understanding of aqidah (Islamic creed), fardhu ain (individual religious obligations), health, and motivation, with some participants showing positive change.
“Jakim has also engaged school students and university undergraduates to enhance early awareness of issues related to deviant practices at the foundational stages of education.”
She added that the Government will not recognise a third gender and has submitted a paper on its implications to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs and the Conference of Rulers in 2025.
“The Government remains firm in its policy and enforcement stance, while at the same time continuing to prioritise educational, dakwah (religious outreach), and guidance-based approaches carried out with prudence and wisdom.”
The Sun Malaysia
