Authorities in Malaysia have sent more than 60 Muslim schoolboys whose teachers claim they are effeminate to a four-day camp to instruct them in being more manly.

An official says they will be given counselling on masculine behaviour to discourage them from being gay.

Gay rights advocates condemned the measure as a symptom of widespread homophobia in the Muslim-majority country where gay sex is illegal.

The boys, aged between 13 and 17, reported yesterday for the start of the 'self-development course.