The ruling coalition in Malaysia, Barisanl Nasional (BN), who hope to get re-elected on Sunday, has printed anti-LGBT election material.

A list of BN’s policies includs ‘menyekat LGBT’, meaning ‘block LGBT’. The text underneath says BN are ‘curbing a damaging culture’. The flyer also says that the opposition coalition of PKR, DAP and PAS are ‘encouraging LGBT’.

Phil Robertson, Asia deputy director of Human Rights Watch said the Malaysian government ‘should be ashamed’ for having their name associated with such material.

‘For Malaysia to sit on the UN human rights council and then undertake a campaign where they’re talking about "menyekat" or "block LGBT" is discriminatory, dangerous and unacceptable,’ Robertson told Gay Star News.

‘The fact that this is being put out in the name of the government is frankly unbelievable. It’s really shocking.’

Over the past year the Malaysia government has regularly attacked the LGBT community.

Children and young people have been targeted specifically with parents being told to look out for signs that their children are gay to ‘curb’ their behavior and an anti-LGBT propaganda play touring universities.

‘What we’re seeing is targeting of LGBT persons from the top levels of government,’ said Robertson. ‘From the prime minister himself, creating "LGBT" as a group that is other, not part of the fabric of Malaysia. This is extremely dangerous and could lead to LGBT bashing.

‘It goes completely against this concept of "one Malaysia" that Prime Minister Najib is constantly espousing as his personal philosophy, but making exceptions on the side for groups he wants to exclude like LGBT people.’

The LGBT community have kept quiet during election campaigning fearing anything they say may be used for political gain by either the government or the opposition. Robertson said that this means that the international community must speak-up for their rights.

‘The LGBT community in Malaysia feel so constrained they can’t say anything right now, which puts more of an onus on the international community – human rights advocates, governments to step-up, speak-out and defend them,’ Robertson said.

‘We’re very concerned, not only now in the lead-up to the election but also after the election, whether the government will continue to unleash its vitriol against the LGBT community – trying to block them from assembling or associating together.’

Malaysia will go to the polls in a general election on Sunday (5 May).

Human Rights Watch has also expressed concern that party members on both sides have been physically assaulted.

‘Election violence threatens the right of all Malaysians to vote for the party of their choice,’ said Robertson. ‘Political leaders should demonstrate their commitment to democratic elections by taking firm action against their members and supporters who are responsible.’

Human Rights Watch also reported that media critical to the government have been targeted in cyber attacks.

‘Ensuring everyone can access information without interference is critical if there is to be a level political playing field in Malaysia,’ said Robertson.

‘The government has a duty to investigate and shut down all cyber attacks, interference with ISPs, and hacking so that freedom of expression and the right to receive information is preserved.’