Original article appeared in The New Straits Times

(Kuala Lumpur)   The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) said it is against all forms of harassment, intimidation, threats and attacks on any Malaysian, including those from the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) community.

Their right to personal liberty, dignity and privacy must be respected, MCCBCHST, the umbrella body for major non-Muslim religions in Malaysia, said in a statement yesterday.

The statement, signed by its president Daozhang Tan Hoe Chieow, his deputy Sardar Jagir Singh, the three vice-presidents -- Sing Kan, Reverend Dr Thomas Philips, R.S Mohan Shan and the secretary-general Prematilaka K.D Serisena -- was issued in response to the ban on the "Seksualiti Merdeka" festival.

"We also note that all Malaysians have a right to freedom of expression and can disagree with our existing laws.

"As long as they assemble in peace to discuss these matters, to educate and create awareness, and to seek law reform, their right to express themselves and to assemble peacefully must also be respected," it added.

The MCCBCHST said it, therefore, condemned the hateful speech directed at members of that community, and the blanket ban on the Seksualiti Merdeka festival assembling peacefully in a private place.

The council said it recognised that the norms for sexual practices within each religion, as in numerous other matters, were governed by the commandments, laws, rules and regulations and values as set and practised within each religious group.

See the complete original article on malaysianbar.org.my.