KUALA LUMPUR -Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim today said that no ban existed on the portrayal of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) characters on state-owned television channels.

"There is no ban on any artistic performance by any segment of society, including those acronymed as "soft" (or effeminate) men," he said in a Twitter posting.

However, he said the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture "still reserved the right to select content suitable for the general public given that Malaysia is a multiracial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country".

The minister was clarifying on a news portal's report on the matter, which originated from a Facebook posting by the Information Department.

- Bernama