She said there have been a number of violent cases involving transgenders recently but the safety and security of everyone, including those in the LGBT community, should be a priority.
“We (the US) have been very supportive of LGBT rights and the community and, in particular, (that) they should not face any violence.
“I think in Malaysia nobody wants that,” she said on the sidelines of an event here today.
In January, a transgender woman was found dead in Bukit Tinggi, Klang, just a month after the murder of another transgender in the same area.
“There can be debates about the law but there should be no violence,” Kamala said, adding that the LGBT debate in Malaysia is being “twisted” because of the local political and social landscape.
Last Saturday, a rally participated by LGBT activists and several NGOs was held in conjunction with International Women’s Day.
The groups demanded an end to violence based on gender and sexual orientation. They also wanted a halt to child marriages, giving women more rights to make choices about their bodies and lives, and making RM1,800 the minimum wage.
The organisers are under investigation by the police for not having a permit.
Putrajaya has since said it is firm in opposing LGBT groups.
Kamala was speaking at a reception at her official residence to honour Rohingya activist Sharifah Shakirah, and to celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month in the US.
Sharifah, 25, is the US embassy’s nominee to represent Malaysia for the US Department of State’s International Women of Courage award, a yearly award to recognise women’s achievements.
She founded the Rohingya Women’s Development Network, the first local Rohingya women’s group, and organises Quran reading sessions and classes on sexual reproductive health.
When she was five, Sharifah fled Myanmar along with her family to reunite with her father, who was in Malaysia. She eventually became an activist for the Rohingya community.
Sharifah is the first non-local to be nominated as Malaysia’s candidate for the award. Previous nominees include transgender rights activist Nisha Ayub and women’s rights activist Irene Fernandez.
Also present at the event were Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran, representatives from civil society and prominent activists.