He was responding to Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, who today blamed the failure of PAS to promote a true Islamic way of life in Kelantan as the reason for the rising number of homosexuals in the east coast state.
Speaking to FMT, Nik Mohd Amar said homosexuality is a national issue and BN, which is the federal government, should also shoulder the responsibility.
“Why blame the Kelantan government? What is the federal government doing?
“Drug problems, homosexuality … these are national issues that are not only happening in Kelantan. Everyone has their own responsibility.
“If Kelantan alone acts on this and the federal government doesn’t control the rakyat, they will still be exposed to these activities.”
Jazlan, who is also Kelantan Umno liaison deputy chairman, had mocked PAS leaders for not being able to tackle the increase in such “un-Islamic” activities while claiming to champion Islam.
He also took a swipe at Nik Mohd Amar for blaming Thailand for corrupting the people of Kelantan.
Responding to this taunt, the deputy menteri besar said homosexuality is not an issue that should be politicised.
“If we want to blame one another, then the problem won’t be solved. I advise them to be gentleman instead of politicising everything.
“(And) I did not blame Thailand.
“I said one of the factors is Kelantan’s location, which is close to Thailand, making it easy for drugs to be supplied (to the state).
“The Kelantan government is continuously working to reduce homosexual activities through all sorts of programmes.”
Deputy Home Minister II Masir Kujat on Tuesday said Kelantan’s health department reports showed an increase in the number of HIV cases in the state due to promiscuity and an unhealthy lifestyle, including switching sex partners.
According to the department’s report, HIV infections in Kelantan caused by homosexual activities had increased 100%, with 20 cases recorded last year, up from 10 the year before.
The report also noted a 25% increase in the number of HIV infections resulting from heterosexual relationships, between 2015 (40 cases) and 2016 (50).
From 2001 to 2016, Kelantan recorded 11,000 HIV-positive cases. A total of 2,255 people contracted HIV/AIDS during the same period.