Malay rights group Perkasa sees no need for the Malaysian education system to have official guidelines to identify members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
"Their lifestyles have been part of the activities of a certain society and therefore there is no need for such official guidelines.
"Perhaps the guidelines can be unofficial, but the most important thing is the role of the parents (in LGBT behaviour)," Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali told a press conference today.
It was reported on Sept 13 that the Education Ministry has endorsed guidelines to help parents to identify such trends among their children.
It was also reported that the government has carried out seminars to enable participants to identify signs of homosexuality.
Ibrahim's stand appears different from that of Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, the wife of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Siti Hasmah has called on educators to follow-up on the guidelines, so that it would be good as a guide for teachers.
Ibrahim has also condemned the actions of a Bangsar-based restaurant which offers free nasi beriani to people whose clothing fulfilling the LGBT characteristics.
"The shop owner could be (a) LGBT, if not, why do they have it like that. Although they say it may be for fun but it may have its own agenda. If not what was the agenda of giving free nasi beriani where elsewhere there are others in need of the food," Ibrahim asked.
It was reported that the shop, which is located in Bangsar Utama, had stated that they organised the event for fun following the issuance of the guidelines.