Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad rejects caning of lesbians, says it runs counter to ‘compassion of Islam’

Mahathir’s government has appeared divided about the LGBT community, while the premier himself had been silent on recent attacks on transgender people and marginalised groups in the Muslim-majority country

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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:23pm, 6 Sep 2018Updated: 9:22pm, 6 Sep 2018

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday denounced the caning of two Muslim women for attempting lesbian sex, a sentence that sparked outrage and raised fears about the treatment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

The women had pleaded guilty to charges under Islamic laws forbidding lesbian sex. They were caned on Monday in front of dozens of people at a sharia court in Terengganu, a conservative state in the east, prompting an outcry from human rights activists, who described the punishment as torture.

Mahathir’s government has appeared divided about the LGBT community, while the premier himself had been silent on the caning and recent attacks on transgender people and marginalised groups in the Muslim-majority country.

In a video posted on his Twitter account, Mahathir said the caning “did not reflect the justice or compassion of Islam”.

The two women who were caned for attempting lesbian sex. Photo: EPA

It was the women’s first offence, he said, which warranted a lighter sentence, such as counselling.

“This gives a bad impression of Islam,” the 93-year-old leader said. “It is important that we show Islam is not a cruel religion that likes to impose harsh sentences to humiliate others.”