"#LGBT people are discriminated against in Malaysia where #homosexuality is forbidden and sodomy can be punished with imprisonment and corporal punishment, although enforcement is rare."
Malaysia's Home Ministry has banned several books featuring LGBTQ+ characters or themes, retroactively from Jan. 20.
The government says the books promote an LGBT "lifestyle" that is a threat to religious (Islamic) and societal values. Those caught with the banned books could face a prison sentence of up to three years, a maximum fine of 20,000 ringgit ($4,500), or both.
Malaysia has seen increasing religious fundamentalism in recent years with the hardline Islamic party PAS making significant gains in the November general election, and the bans are reflective of the government's conservative attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. The ban comes amid ongoing legal action against two LGBTQ+ music videos.
Some of the books banned : Jacob’s New Dress, The Tale of Steven, Jacob’s Room to Choose, Aku
Malaysian human rights activists have criticized the government's decision.