KUALA LUMPUR: Those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) do not have such tendencies due to mental illnesses.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said a big part of those in the LGBT community are the way they are due to “organic illnesses” in terms of hormones.
“Research also shows that there is something in their brainwaves that causes them to be that way.
“As such, we cannot see them as someone who is ill or suffering from mental illnesses.
“This is a wrong perception,” said Dr Lee to a supplementary question by Ahmad Amzad Mohamed @ Hashim (PAS-Kuala Terengganu).
Ahmad Amzad had asked if those with LGBT tendencies suffer from mental illnesses.
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to take punitive action against Dr Nur Ilyani Mohamed Nawawi for criticising Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir' stance on lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgenders (LGBT) issues.
Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, the dean of medicine and infectious diseases at Universiti Malaya said although she had rebuked Dr Nur Ilyani for her statement against LGBTs, doctors were only concerned over her judgemental tone.
“What we doctors are concerned about is the judgemental tone she portrayed.
“For me, her action does not warrant any punitive action,” she told the media after the launch of the 1st Malaysian Men's Health 2018 conference on Monday.
Dr Adeeba said this when asked whether action will be taken against Dr Nur Ilyani following a complaint made to the Public Complaints Bureau.
Utusan Online earlier Monday reported that the state PAS Muslimat had asked the Health Ministry not take any disciplinary action against the doctor over her Facebook post.
In her Aug 6 post, Dr Nur Ilyani had written an open letter to social activist Marina 6 saying that she does not endorse “free sex”, much less a “deviant lifestyle”, but she had treated LGBT patients well.
She also said that LGBTs were not allowed to donate blood because of their high risk behaviour and whether that was the “equal rights” Marina wanted, she asked.
Free Malaysia Today, in an Aug 8 report, quoted Dr Adeeba as ticking off Dr Nur Ilyani for her statement, saying this would deter people from seeking medical help.
“We need to separate our personal beliefs and the trust that has been given to us as doctors.
“We have a duty of care and trust for all,” Dr Adeeba said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the ministry maintains its stance on the treatment of LGBTs, that it will treat all patients regardless of beliefs system or gender.
On Sunday, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah tweeted that the ministry will not discriminate against anyone.
