The Prime Minister of Malaysia has cited Islam in saying that the human rights of LGBT people will not necessarily be protected.

Najib Razak spoke at an international Islamic moderation seminar in Bangi Selangor, to say that his administration will adopt some human rights protections but not those which conflict with Islam.

Noting LGBT rights, he said that some of the “more extreme aspects of human rights”, would not be defended by Malaysia.

He said this was in line with the Islamic teaching of balance and moderation.

“Although universal human rights have been defined, we still define human rights in the country in the context of Islam and the Shariah,” he said, reports the Malay Mail.

“Even though it is difficult to defend internationally, we must defend our definition of human rights.”

“And even if we cannot defend human rights at an international level, we must defend it in the Islamic context,” he said.

The move has been heavily criticised by the Human Rights Watch.

The organisation’s Asia deputy director Phil Robertson said he was shocked by the decision.

He asked: “The logical argument from that would be Malaysia should resign from the UN. Is Malaysia prepared to do that?”