KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition MP has asked the Health Ministry to review its Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) drug pilot project to prevent lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) practices from "growing in the country".
Datuk Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena) said the ministry must consider both religious and moral values when handling such issues.
"The PrEP pilot project should be reviewed, not because we reject the ministry's principle to save those at risk of contracting HIV. Instead, we need a more holistic approach to ensure that the gays and LGBT groups do not continue to grow in this country.
"There also needs to be synergy between the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and fatwa councils in every state to strategically discuss and prevent severe implications if the PrEP project is being continued," he said while debating the royal address in Dewan Rakyat here, today.
Ahmad however, did not explain what the "severe implications" were.
He also called upon the government to formulate a policy to enact a policy to block social media platforms containing LGBT-related content, whether locally or internationally.
"This illness is dangerous. It is not only a social problem but also invites the wrath of God."
In December last year, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said her ministry would carry out a pilot project regarding using PrEP medicine in several hospitals to assess its effectiveness and safety in reducing the risk of HIV infection.
She had said the pilot project was necessary so the drug could be certified by the ministry for public consumption.
The use of PrEP medication is said to be able to reduce the risk of contracting HIV from sex by 90 per cent when taken according to prescription.
Last month, the Selangor Mufti Department prohibited the administration of PrEP medication, saying that the medication's consumption and distribution should only be for married couples.