I refer to the article Gay community a scapegoat .

The Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) would like to highlight that the above article is in response to a news article that appeared in The Star on May 28 and contained quotes purportedly made by the MAC president. A media statement was immediately released and was carried by The Star on May 29. Below is the full statement for the benefit of your readers.

'The Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) would like to highlight your report published today with the title MAC: Tackle issue of gays .

MAC is alarmed by this inaccurate report that purports to contain statements by MAC president Professor Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman which at no point were made.

This erroneous report has quoted her as saying: 'The HIV/AIDS scourge in the country can be reduced if the issue of homosexuals is resolved first. As most of us know, homosexuality is one of the reasons why HIV/Aids is so widespread. If we can tackle the issue with the help of the government, the number of people infected with HIV/Aids can be reduced'.

MAC would like to clarify that Dr Adeeba, in a response to a query from a member of the media present at the press conference for our 8th Biennial General Meeting, actually said that issues of homosexuality, sexuality and drug use and how they pertain to HIV/Aids need to be discussed more openly and thoroughly. One of the functions of MAC is to act as a bridge between the government and the community in dealing with these controversial and sensitive matters.

Dr Adeeba did not at any stage ascribe the widespread rise in HIV due to homosexuality nor the simplistic solutions that were offered by the article. MAC has always maintained a stand that the rising cases of HIV/Aids in the country is due to risky behaviour and not perceived risky groups of people.

The Malaysian Aids Council wishes to again reaffirm our commitment to HIV treatment, prevention and care in a non-discriminatory and non-judgmental manner.

The writer is MAC's media and communications officer.