Anwar: Govt allows space for LGBT views but does not accept them
KUALA LUMPUR: Extreme demands will not be supported, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat president-elect Anwar Ibrahim, who stressed the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government will not back them regardless of who makes them.
While groups are free to express views on matters such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, allowing space for such views should not be looked at as accepting them.
"There are some super liberals who feel that their opinions must be followed and they don't want other opinions included, but that is not the way," he said during a question-and-answer session after delivering a lecture in Kuala Lumpur yesterday .
Mr Anwar was replying to a question from a participant who said the change of government has given rise to issues and demands that were causing unease among some communities, reported the Malay Mail.
He reiterated that free speech was a key feature of the new government.
He also repeated his remark that both he and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad were not in favour of advancing LGBT interests as this was beyond what local society was prepared to accept, the Malay Mail reported.
"But because some groups held campaigns in support of this, it looked like the government gave in to their demands.
"But that is not the situation. We can't stop people from expressing their views," he said.
"We have promised that PH will give media freedom and freedom of speech, but if we don't agree with their views, we can always come out and correct it," he said.
He also noted there have been concerns about the royalty but stressed that the PH coalition and its parties have never disputed the institution or monarchy.
Mr Anwar said that since he does not currently have official duties, he plans to meet the various royal households to explain matters to them.
"They are also facing a new situation, they knew only Umno for the longest time," he said.
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