Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa agrees with the move to remove photographs of LGBT activists from a George Town Festival art exhibit.

He said the removal of the photos of Nisha Ayub and Pang Khee Teik from the “Stripes and Strokes” exhibition by photographer Mooreyameen Mohamad was in line with his department's stand on the issue.

The two photographs are part of a 20-piece art exhibition at Dewan Sri Pinang, which is being held in conjunction with the country's 61st Merdeka celebrations from Aug 4 to Sept 2.

"This is in line with our stand. LGBTs are still unacceptable and cannot be promoted," Mujahid, who oversees the religious affairs portfolio, told Malaysiakini.

"I fear a backlash on them, since the society still rejects their promotion.

"The organiser (of the festival) should be more sensitive to respect and conserve the majority views," added Mujahid (photo), who is Amanah's Parit Buntar MP.

Among the other 20 photographs of Malaysians featured with the Jalur Gemilang are that of DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and PKR Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.

A disappointed Mooreyameen told Malaysiakini that George Town Festival director Joe Sidek said the removal was instructed by the Prime Minister's Office, but Sidek declined to comment when asked about it.

Yeoh: Malaysia cannot discriminate

The issue of discrimination against LGBTs has been in the spotlight of late, as the Pakatan Harapan government has promised to promote more diversity.

Asked if it was his department that issued the instruction to the George Town Festival to remove the photos, Mujahid replied: "We received a lot of comments from members of the public.

"My department based (the move) on the policy and my stand in Parliament on the LGBT issue. Please refer to them."

Last month, Mujahid said LGBTs should not be discriminated against as citizens, but advised the community not to challenge Malaysia's value system, which still rejects such issues.

Even so, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh took to Twitter later today to state that Malaysia should not discriminate.

"I fought for a new Malaysia that is free from racism, corruption and discrimination. This administration does not promote homosexuality, BUT we also cannot discriminate. We accept all Malaysians, even though we don't agree with everyone," Yeoh tweeted.

She, however, did not specify to what case she was referring to.

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