Gay-Themed Forum Is Canceled in Malaysia
A planned forum on L.G.B.T.Q.-related themes in Malaysia was indefinitely postponed after online attacks by the public and harsh criticism by a government official. It's the latest instance of how the government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has taken a harder line in an effort to shore up support among the country's Muslim majority.
Malaysia's Parliament now includes the conservative Islamist party, Parti Islam SeMalaysia, which is the largest party in the lower house. Its growing influence has increased pressure on the government to adopt more conservative positions, with the party accusing Mr. Anwar's administration of failing to safeguard Islamic values.
In the past, Mr. Anwar has expressed a degree of tolerance toward the L.G.B.T.Q. community.
'Muslims and non-Muslims alike, there is a consensus — they do not accept this,' he said in a 2023 interview with CNN, referring to public displays of affection by gay people. 'But do we then go and harass them? That is a different subject. I do not approve of any attempt to harass.'
The workshop, titled 'Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness' and organized by the youth wing of a small opposition party, was to take place next month. Efforts to publicize the event on social media quickly went viral, prompting hateful comments and death threats by the public. Many posts tagged the Royal Malaysian Police, urging them to investigate the event.
On Wednesday, Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, the government's religious affairs minister, described the planned gathering as a promotion of 'deviant culture.'
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