Quake, Tsunami in Indonesia God’s Punishment for LGBT, Says Zahid

Kuala Lumpur, MINA –: Opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today claimed that the recent earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Indonesia, was punishment from God for the reported involvement of over 1,000 people in LGBT activities, Malaysia Updates reported.

Zahid (BN-Bagan Datuk) also voiced concern over the LGBT situation in Malaysia following the incident in Palu

“As a result, the entire area (in Palu) was destroyed. This is Allah’s punishment.
“My question is, what are the measures being taken by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to ensure the effectiveness of programmes (in addressing LGBT issues), to make sure that Malaysians, especially those who reject LGBT, are spared from God’s punishment?” he asked Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa in the Dewan Rakyat today.

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Mujahid (PH-Parit Buntar) said the attitude and policy of the federal government on the matter was very clear, with the only difference being how they approached the issue.

Since 2011, he said, 1,450 participants had voluntarily taken part in outreach programmes organised by Jakim. He added that the federal government had worked closely with state governments to get people to participate.

Mujahid said the programmes had yielded positive results.

“There are those making efforts to get over the tendencies and leave the act completely. Also, between 2012 and 2016, three former mak nyahs were sent for umrah. The response from them is that they are able to reflect on the fundamentals of the religion,” he said.

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Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa) then asked how “hukum bala” occurs, noting the ease with which such statements are made without basis.
To this, Mujahid said no disasters happened without permission from Allah, adding that it was clear that all things come from God.

“If we study the verses in the Quran on the groups who were wiped out as a result of their practices, they were too open in their behaviour and not ashamed of it. Hence, the punishment came.

“The LGBT situation in Malaysia is still under control. However, it is not easy to draw examples. We need to discuss how to tackle the issue, to ensure that bad things do not become rampant.”

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To the initial question by Zahid, Mujahid said the government, through Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had firmly stated that LGBT would not be accepted in the country, and that the concept of family remains between a married man and woman, with children.

He said the rights of the LGBT community to practise their way of life was still subject to the laws of the country, but that the rights of its citizens were also preserved based on the customs and culture of the country, as well as the framework of the Federal Constitution which places Islam as the religion of the federation. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)