Seksualiti Merdeka’s programmes advocating gender equality for homosexuals and transgender people could threaten national security, says Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

NONE"If it continues (with its programmes), I am concerned it will threaten national security.

"They know this is a sensitive issue and surely there will be a reaction but they insist on proceeding.

"I call on the organisers to see sense," he said in a Sinar Harian report today.

He added in the report that while it concern human rights, organisers are ill-mannered for introducing equality for homosexuals in a country where the majority are Muslims.

Ibrahim said the programmes should be called off because there are limits to freedom and the organisers should respect religious sensitivities for the sake of national security.

“If they call off the programmes, then I thank them, because the fact is that we (Perkasa), too, do not want to quarrel (with them),” he was quoted as saying.

NONEThe report added that Ibrahim would observe Seksualiti Merdeka’s subsequent moves before deciding on how Perkasa would react.

Seksualiti Merdeka is an annual festival celebrating the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities organised by a loose coalition of NGOs, artists, activists and individuals since 2008.

The festival’s programme, which includes forums, talks, workshops, book launches, an art exhibition and performances, will run from Nov 9 to 13 and is expected to be officially opened by Bersih 2.0 chief Ambiga Sreenevasan.


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