Latest news with #PrideCare
Daily Express
05-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Cops finalising probe on LGBT event, says IGP
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said police also seized a mobile phone from one of the two PSM members for investigation purposes. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Police are finalising their investigation into a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender programme planned by PSM's youth wing after recording statements from two members yesterday. Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the individuals were questioned from 3.10pm to 4.30pm, and that a Huawei mobile phone and a SIM card were seized from one of them. 'A total of 38 questions were posed to them. However, both opted to respond in court,' Berita Harian quoted him as saying. The investigation is being conducted under Section 298A and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director Shuhaily Zain previously said that the number of reports received on the event had risen from 21 to 188. Last week, religious affairs minister Na'im Mokhtar urged PSM to cancel its plans for the workshop, themed 'Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness'. He said the organisation of such a programme, even if held behind closed doors, clearly challenged societal norms and the religious values of the majority. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Cops finalising probe on LGBT event, says IGP
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said police also seized a mobile phone from one of the two PSM members for investigation purposes. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Police are finalising their investigation into a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender programme planned by PSM's youth wing after recording statements from two members yesterday. Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the individuals were questioned from 3.10pm to 4.30pm, and that a Huawei mobile phone and a SIM card were seized from one of them. 'A total of 38 questions were posed to them. However, both opted to respond in court,' Berita Harian quoted him as saying. The investigation is being conducted under Section 298A and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director Shuhaily Zain previously said that the number of reports received on the event had risen from 21 to 188. Last week, religious affairs minister Na'im Mokhtar urged PSM to cancel its plans for the workshop, themed 'Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness'. He said the organisation of such a programme, even if held behind closed doors, clearly challenged societal norms and the religious values of the majority.
Free Malaysia Today
04-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Cops summon PSM members over LGBT event
Two PSM members will give their statements to the police in Bukit Aman this afternoon on plans to hold a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender programme. PETALING JAYA : Police have summoned two members of PSM for questioning over a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) programme planned by the party's youth wing. Lawyer Rajsurian Pillai told FMT that the pair would give their statements in Bukit Aman at 3pm today. Malaysiakini meanwhile reported him as saying the investigation is being carried out by the classified crimes investigation unit under the criminal investigation department (CID). Yesterday, Bukit Aman CID director Shuhaily Zain said the number of reports received on the event had risen from 21 to 188. Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the case is being probed under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, hatred or ill will on the grounds of religion, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for the improper use of network facilities. Last week, religious affairs minister Na'im Mokhtar urged PSM to cancel its plans for the workshop, themed 'Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness'. He said the organisation of such a programme, even if held behind closed doors, clearly challenged societal norms and the religious values upheld by the majority.
New York Times
31-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
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.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CNA
29-05-2025
- General
- CNA
Malaysia minister seeks police probe on upcoming LGBTQ event, says it ‘violates moral values'
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Religious Affairs Minister has called for a police probe on a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ)-themed event planned for next month, reiterating the government's stance against efforts to normalise what he called 'deviant' lifestyles. The event, called 'Pride Care: Queer Stories and Sexual Health Awareness', is organised by the youth wing of the Socialist Party of Malaysia – or Parti Sosialis Malaysia – and scheduled to take place in Petaling Jaya on Jun 21. Minister Mohd Na'im Mokhtar on Wednesday (May 28) urged the authorities, including the Royal Malaysia Police, to investigate and take action should there be any breach of the law, national news agency Bernama reported. In a statement on Facebook, Na'im called on the organisers to immediately cease all activities that 'violate the law and moral values of society'. 'The organisation of such programmes, even if held behind closed doors, clearly challenges societal norms and religious values upheld by the majority of Malaysians,' he said. Parti Sosialis Malaysia's youth wing had posted on Monday on social media platform X that it would be hosting its 'very first queer-centred event' on Jun 21. The party was registered in 2008 and member Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj held a parliamentary seat from 2008 to 2018 under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat's banner. But Parti Sosialis Malaysia suffered defeat in the 2018 general election when it ran under its own banner. 'A 'by queers, for queers' initiative that shines a spotlight on the shared reality of living as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community in this country,' the youth wing wrote. It said the event would feature a forum and a presentation on sexual health awareness, and the venue would be disclosed five days in advance. In the wake of the post, some netizens urged the authorities to take action. Minister Na'im said Malaysia's Islamic development department (JAKIM) and state religious departments are ready to enforce regulations, especially if the event involves Muslim participants. 'At the same time, I call on all parties to help defend our society's social and moral structure from any elements that could undermine our faith, ethics and national harmony,' he said in his statement. MALAYSIA'S CLAMPDOWN ON PRIDE CULTURE This is not the first time controversy has erupted over LGBTQ-related matters in the country. In May 2023, the Home Affairs Ministry seized 172 Swatch rainbow watches from 11 shopping malls across the country for allegedly promoting LGBTQ values. The Swiss watchmaker filed, and won, a lawsuit against the government. Last November, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh said the Home Ministry's raid of Swatch stores and seizure of its watches were illegal as they were made without a warrant. He ordered that the seized watches be returned. In 2023, Malaysia also halted a music festival in Kuala Lumpur after the frontman of British pop rock band The 1975 kissed a male bandmate onstage and criticised the country's anti-LGBTQ laws. On Wednesday, Na'im said the government remains committed to upholding the Islamic principles in national governance to protect religion, morality and human dignity. 'Deviant cultures will never be accepted as the norm in Malaysia,' he said.
