Putrajaya, located south of Malaysia’s capital city Kuala Lumpur, may be considering a harsher crackdown on those that identify as LGBTQ+, according to Malaysia’s Deputy Minister.
The Deputy Minister, of the prime minister’s religious affairs department, Ahmad Marzuk Shaary has announced that the country’s current laws are not effective enough.
The existing sentence under Act 355 can lead up to three years in prison, a fine of RM5,000 (£900), and mandatory caning. Malaysia’s Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355) is now under speculation and possible amendment for stricter conditions.
The proposed legal changes would include criminalising gender changes and the creation of online media content that could be deemed as