VIDEO | 6:15 mins

Muslims are urged to review any dealings with Ambank Malaysia Holdings Bhd, following the bank’s cooperation with American insurance company Metlife International Holdings.

Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) said this is as Metlife was awarded the best place to work for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, by the US Human Rights Campaign 2013.

Even more "shocking", JMM president Azwanddin Hamzah (right) said the award was highlighted in Ambank’s own bulletin.

According to JMM president, the cooperation with Metlife extends to takaful insurance, which is Islamic-based.

"This makes it a ruse to blindside Muslims in Malaysia…(and) a greater ill-intentioned agenda…," he said.  

Last May, AmBank and MetLife launched two insurance brand names AmMetLife and AmMetLife Takaful.

MetLife owns 51 percent of AmLife Insurance Bhd while AmBank owns 51 percent of AmTakaful Bhd.

Anti-LGBT sentiments have been increasingly aired following the Court of Appeal's Nov 7 ruling that a Negri Sembilan syariah enactment banning cross-dressing is unconstitutional. 

The application was made by three transgender individuals.

In the judgement, the three-member Court of Appeal judges say Section 66 of the Enactment condemns the appellates to a life of "indignity".

It also said that there is no medical evidence that Gender Identity Disorder can be cured or treated.

Critics argue that the verdict undermines Islam and may open to floodgates for applications to legalise same sex marriage, homosexual activities and sex change operations.


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