KUALA LUMPUR – The Johor government has announced plans to establish a rehabilitation center aimed at addressing religious deviancy and assisting individuals within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
State exco for Islamic religious affairs, Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid, said that RM400,000 has been allocated for the rehabilitation center, slated to become operational in July next year.
“This rehabilitation center is not only intended for those who have deviated from their beliefs but also for individuals engaged in same-sex or LGBT relationships, particularly those convicted of criminal offenses (by the shariah court under Enactment 26-Musahaqah), with the goal of facilitating their return to their original nature.
“The establishment of a rehabilitation center for individuals engaged in same-sex relationships is the first of its kind in Malaysia.
“Currently, the center is in the process of preparing capital assets, including office facilities and male and female trainee dormitories,” he stated during a Johor state legislative assembly session in Kota Iskandar today.
Mohd Fared (BN-Semerah) was responding to Abdul Aziz Talib’s (PN-Maharani) query regarding the number of new converts since 2020 and the outreach plan for them and the Muslim community in the state.
He disclosed that the Johor State Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) allocates RM15 million annually for the implementation of various outreach and welfare activities.
Mohd Fared also noted that MAINJ allocates RM15 million annually to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Saudara Kita to conduct diverse dakwah (propagation) activities, including support for converts.
The number of conversions recorded since 2020 includes 728 in 2020, 688 in 2021, 796 in 2022, and 633 as of November 2023, he said. – November 29, 2023