Minister grilled in Germany over policy on gays, Jews ahead of travel fair
FMT Reporters
-March 5, 2019 11:57 PM
Mohamaddin Ketapi is in Germany to attend the ITB Berlin 2019, a travel fair of which Malaysia is an official partner.PETALING JAYA: Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi was questioned by the German press on Malaysia’s immigration policy on Jews and homosexuals, ahead of a major travel fair which Malaysia is participating as an official partner country.
Berlin-based daily Berliner Morgenpost reported that Mohamaddin dodged questions on the matter during a press conference to announce the ITB Berlin 2019 travel fair.
He was asked if Malaysia was a safe destination for homosexuals.
“Homosexuality? I think we do not have such a thing in our country. I cannot answer whether it’s safe or not,” he was quoted as saying.
The paper reported that the selection of Malaysia as a partner country for ITB Berlin, touted as the world’s largest travel fair, had attracted criticism from a Green Party politician as well as from the Jewish community.
The criticism is believed to be over Malaysia’s decision not to allow Israeli athletes from competing in the 2019 World Para-Swimming Championships which was to be held in Kuching in July this year.
The refusal to grant visa to the Israelis led to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) stripping Malaysia of hosting rights for the tournament.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has defended the decision, and dismissed accusations of anti-Semitism from Israeli lobbies in the West.
In January, Mahathir also told the audience at his Oxford Union speech that his government would not tolerate homosexuality.
“In our society, it is wrong. If you want to do (it) yourself, go ahead, but in England, not in Malaysia,” he said.
