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THE government has called on the public to adopt the term “deviant culture” instead of referring to the LGBT community in order to curb algorithm-driven amplification of related content on social media.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, Marhamah Rosli, said the move aims to ensure consistency in public discourse while preventing indirect promotion of such communities.
Speaking during Question Time in the Dewan Negara on Thursday, Marhamah told Senator Hussin Ismail, “The more we utter, write and mention the term ‘LGBT’, the more related content will pop up. Unknowingly, we may appear to be promoting the deviant culture.”
The remarks follow concerns raised about events and closed-door programmes involving LGBT elements, including the so-called ‘Glamping with Pride’ gathering.
Marhamah confirmed that the ‘Glamping with Pride’ event, which gained viral attention on social media earlier this year, had been cancelled, and Selangor state authorities verified that no official permit had been issued to its organisers.
On broader content regulation, Marhamah explained that the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, Jakim, through its research unit, continuously monitors online material relating to what she described as deviant culture and teachings.
“The unit works closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to report and request the removal of links or content found to be in breach of legal provisions and religious values,” she said.
The Deputy Minister’s statements emphasise the government’s strategy to manage online narratives through careful terminology and proactive monitoring, reflecting a wider effort to guide public understanding and regulate social media content in accordance with legal and religious frameworks. - February 26, 2026