Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has dismissed as "utter nonsense" Anwar Ibrahim's statement that members of the public are being forced to accept an LGBT lifestyle. 

The lawyers' group said that the de facto Pakatan Harapan leader's "fearmongering" remarks were reminiscent of those made by the previous BN administration and only served to further stigmatise the LGBT community. 

"It is unfortunate that he is using the LGBT community as pawns to a political agenda; it reeks of the fearmongering tactic often used by the government of old.

"Not only does he denigrate and publicly oppose the LGBTs' plea for acceptance, but Anwar also rallies the public to reject them as equal citizens with rights to free expression.

"His words simply foster further hatred towards the already vulnerable LGBT community," LFL coordinator Zaid Malek said in a statement today.

Zaid added that it was "complete nonsense" to claim that the people are being forced to accept the LGBT community lifestyle, adding, "when did they (LGBT) do so?"

Last week, Anwar was reported as saying that there is no place for the LGBT movement in Malaysia.

"Best that Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists unite (berpakat) over the same stand," Anwar said.

In his statement, Zaid said that as a Malay Muslim, it is "ironic" for Anwar to insinuate that the identity of the race or religion would be threatened by "simply having people of different beliefs and identity lead their lives without harassment".

"The core of the demands by the LGBT community is for equality and justice for all, the same demands that were made when Anwar himself was targeted and persecuted by his political opponents.

"In fact, Anwar, of all people, should have been able to empathise with this marginalised and hunted community."