KUALA LUMPUR • Malaysia cannot accept same-sex marriage or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday, in comments that come amid growing instances of persecution of the LGBT community in the Muslim-majority country.

"In Malaysia, there are some things we cannot accept, even though it is seen as human rights in Western countries," Tun Dr Mahathir, 93, told reporters. "We cannot accept LGBT, marriage between men and men, women and women."

His comments are likely to spark further debate in the country, where activists have voiced concern over hostility - both from within society and from the administration - towards LGBT groups .

Two women were caned this month for "attempting lesbian sex" in Terengganu, a conservative state in the east. Dr Mahathir denounced the punishment, saying it "did not reflect the justice or compassion of Islam".

Last month, a gay bar in Kuala Lumpur was raided by police and religious enforcement officials, while a transgender woman was beaten up by a group of assailants in Seremban. The minister in charge of Islamic affairs has also came under fire, from activists and other ruling party lawmakers, after he ordered the removal of portraits of two LGBT activists from an art exhibition.

Malaysia describes oral and anal sex as against the order of nature. Civil law stipulates jail of up to 20 years, caning and fines for offenders, although enforcement of the law is rare. Muslims are also governed by state-level Islamic laws, most of which carry provisions outlawing same-sex acts.

REUTERS