KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — An LGBT activist today welcomed UK prime minister Theresa May’s statement regretting colonial era anti-LGBT laws enforced by her country.

Seksualiti Merdeka leader Pang Khee Teik pointed out that undue damage has already been inflicted on sexual minorities from the years of repressive laws in many countries — including Malaysia, leaving "deep wounds”.

He also said he looks forward to May’s "acknowledgement of all other wounds of colonialism”, listing slavery, racism, genocide and the sedition law which Malaysia upholds.

"So yes, it would be critical, now that UK has regretted exporting the sodomy law, not to stop there. They need to show regret for all the other legacies of colonialism. More importantly, leaders of formerly colonised countries need to show regret for keeping and deploying the tools of colonialism on their own people even after independence.

"As an LGBT activist, I welcome this acknowledgement of the deep wounds left in our countries by bad colonial laws, wounds from which many of us are still bleeding today. In solidarity with activists on other issues, I would also welcome further acknowledgement of all the other wounds of colonialism,” he told Malay Mail.

I hope the shared lessons we have learned from the costs of these bad laws can now help us to heal together. It’s time to listen, learn, and heal,” Pang added.

He added that Seksualiti Merdeka has long been advocating for better lives and freedom for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and other sexually marginalised communities, through its participation in the Commonwealth Equality Network, adding that many of the group’s network are now hopeful that May’s expression of regret could favour the members in their fight for rights.

He also expressed hope that with May’s acknowledgement, Malaysia would do away with laws denying the LGBT community their rights, especially that criminalising sodomy, which he labelled an ‘alien legacy’.

Transgender activist Nisha Ayub similarly welcomed May’s acknowledgement, expressing hope that Malaysia could one day offer a better future for sexual minorities here.

Nisha added that Malaysia could be considered a progressive nation back in the day, before the enforcement of fatwas, or Islamic edicts.

"We even had transgender support groups created by the Welfare Department way back then, before the fatwa was basically set up in Malaysia, which if I’m not mistaken was in 1982,” she said, adding that Malaysia should now relook its laws criminalising LGBT activities, and formulate more inclusive legislations designed to protect sexual minorities.

"So, I hope that if a prime minister from Britain would openly mention this, our Malaysian government should really consider when it comes to the laws itself, because whether you like it or not, Malaysia is not an Islamic country.

"We have people from all races and all religious background and so on,  therefore everyone should be protected and must be given equal rights, regardless of their race, religion, gender and even sexuality,” she told Malay Mail.

Earlier today, AFP reported May as telling former British colonies that anti-gay laws once imposed by her country "were wrong then, and they are wrong now”.

She reportedly raised discriminatory legislation affecting same-sex couples, women and girls, in an address to Commonwealth leaders in London.

"I am all too aware that these laws were often put in place by my own country. They were wrong then, and they are wrong now,” she said in a speech to the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

"As the UK’s prime minister, I deeply regret both the fact that such laws were introduced, and the legacy of discrimination, violence and even death that persists today,” she was quoted saying by the AFP.

Despite same-sex marriage having been legalised in Britain, many of the countries it once colonised are still holding onto the legislation.

On May 15 last year, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) launched the 12th edition of its flagship publication, State-Sponsored Homophobia — A World Survey of Sexual Orientation Laws: Criminalisation, Protection and Recognition.

The report highlighted 124 countries (122 UN member states as well as Taiwan and Kosovo) where same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults have been legalised.

It revealed that 72 states still criminalise same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults, with 45 nations imposing such laws on both men and women.