Government Considers Amending Act 355 For Lgbt Group

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Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (second from right) at the handing over of food aid in Pengkalan Chepa today. - NSTP/SHARIFAH MAHSINAH ABDULLAH.KOTA BARU: The Government is considering amending the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act to enable heavy penalties to be imposed on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) group.
Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said it was hoped that the amendment to the Act, also known as Act 355, would have an impact on the group.
Currently, he said, the LGBT group faces three years jail, fine of RM5,000 and six strokes of rotan under the Act.
"Seeing the situation in the country now involving the LGBT group, the Government might consider amending Act 355.
"By doing this, the government hopes it would prevent them from committing more offences," he added.
The Pengkalan Chepa MP told this to reporters after presenting foodbank donations from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department to flood victims here today.
Ahmad Marzuk said he already directed all enforcement units at the state religious departments to take stern action against the LGBT group if they were found to have breached the law.
"This directive was issued to all state religious departments but priority will be in the Klang Valley.
"The religious officers were told to take action against this group until they were charged," he added.
He said in other states like Kelantan, activities involving this LGBT group were not alarming.
"Members of the public who have information on LGBT activities can also report to the nearest religious department so that this kind of activities can be stopped," he added. - NST

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