ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government will establish a rehabilitation centre to address issues of individuals deemed deviant to Islamic teachings and those who engage in same-sex relationships in the country.
State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the centre, aimed to help the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, was the first to be established in Malaysia.
He added that the government has also allocated RM400,000 to set up the centre, which is expected to begin operations in July, next year.
"The centre is established to not only help those who have deviated from their akidah (faith) but also to rehabilitate those practising same-sex relationships.
"The centre is not only to guide these groups but also to steer them back into the right path.
"At the moment, the preparation for the centre is underway with the setup of offices as well as training hostels for both male and female participants," he said.
He said this during the question and answer session in the Johor State Assembly sitting, today.
Meanwhile, in response to another question posed by Abdul Aziz Talib (PN-Maharani) on the government's plan to boost the dakwah programme in the state, Mohd Fared said RM15 million had been allocated by the state religious council to welfare organisation Pertubuhan Kebajikan Saudara Kita.
"Between 2020 and this month, a total of 2,845 individuals have been registered to convert to Islam.
"Of the total, 728 individuals converted in 2020; 688 individuals (2021); 796 individuals (2022); and 633 until Nov, this year.
"Those registered in the state are from various backgrounds, including Chinese, Indian, Iban, Bidayuh, Kadazan, Orang Asli as well as foreigners from the Philippines and Vietnam."