KUALA LUMPUR — Amid raging controversy over lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Malaysia, the mufti of Malaysia's northern state of Perlis has told transgender people to use their biological sex to determine which toilet to use.

Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin took to Facebook to dismiss the furore over the matter, and appeared to mock those insisting on using the restrooms of genders other than that of their birth.

"I would like to suggest that if any individual is confused, it is recommended he meets an expert to examine him while he urinates to determine the origin of the urine.

"If it exits from a male organ, then use the men's toilet. If it exits from a woman's genitals, then please use the women's toilet," he wrote on his Facebook page.

"If nothing comes out at all or if it does not come out from either male or female genitals, then please go to the hospital. If the doctors say you are disabled, then you can use the disabled toilet."

He also suggested those unable to afford specialists should perform their own inspection of their genitals.

Controversy over the recognition of the LGBT community and their rights erupted last week after Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who is also Minister-in-charge of Islamic Affairs, ordered the removal of two portraits featuring LGBT activists Pang Khee Teik and Nisha Ayub from the George Town Festival 2018, an arts and culture festival in the Penang capital.

The photographs were first shot and exhibited last year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Malaysia's independence.

Activists reacted with dismay, with Datuk Vinod Sekhar, who is a sponsor for the Stripes and Strokes exhibition, saying he would not have expected this to happen even during the previous Barisan Nasional administration, much less in the "New Malaysia" under Pakatan Harapan.

Datuk Mujahid said at the time that he had ordered for the portraits to be taken down as the two activists were clearly promoting LGBT activities, which he had previously said was not in line with the government's policy.

The furore resulted in Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, the daughter of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, to ask the organisers of the exhibition today to remove her portrait as well, in solidarity with the two activists.

The minister tried to smooth things over last Friday (Aug 10) by meeting Ms Nisha, but in the process made remarks that worsened the community's outrage.

Among others, he commented on the topic here — the use of another gender's toilet. Ms Nisha said that Mr Mujahid had acknowledged that transgender women can use the ladies' toilet.

"A reporter brought up the matter. She asked if it was okay for a transgender to use a female toilet. Datuk Mujahid said it's basically a washroom and if she looks like a woman, she should go to the female toilet," she said.

"Before this no one at his level, who comes from the Islamic ministry, has acknowledged our basic human needs to use public toilets. This is the first time our most basic needs are recognised," said Ms Nisha, referring to the joint press conference she had with Mr Mujahid after the meeting.

Mr Mujahid pointed out that people generally will not question a female-looking person using a female washroom but that same person would definitely stand out and create an awkward or problematic situation if she entered the male washroom.

However, he clarified later that he was giving his personal views and not issuing any orders on the matter.

Mr Mujahid found support among Islamic officials for his cool stance towards the LGBT community, which in turn has accused the government of abandoning them after winning the general election.

Malaysia does not criminalise LGBT behaviour per se, but has laws, such as those against cross-dressing, which allow the authorities to pursue some sections of the community.

The country also has colonial-era laws that criminalise anal sex, among others, as carnal intercourse against the order of nature, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The law is, however, rarely used. MALAY MAIL