Abim sees red over pink LGBT event
Published: Mar 13, 2014 7:18 AM | Updated: Mar 13, 2014 8:16 AM
The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) is seeing red over an event dubbed 'Pink Dot Penang 2014' to be held in George Town, Penang, which it said allegedly promotes lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) relationships through their motto "freedom to love".
The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) is seeing red over an event dubbed 'Pink Dot Penang 2014' to be held in George Town, Penang, which it said allegedly promotes lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) relationships.
It is learnt that the event is a workshop on human rights issues, and that the programmes also includes a gathering of those who respect freedom of expression.
Malaysiakini is contacting the organisers for comments on the event.
Posters of the event have been uploaded on the Internet, and the event is to be held at the 1926 Heritage Hotel on March 29.
Abim secretary Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz described the event as celebrating "free love" between LGBT persons, saying this was "against the values of all religions and cultures in Malaysia".
He said such an event, according to Pink Dot Singapore's website was also held in the island state last year, seeking equal rights for the LGBT community.
"We view this matter gravely as such an effort is rude and clearly disrespects the sentiments of the majority in this country," said Muhammad Faisal in a statement.
"Such events appear to promote elements of deviant love, which is seen happening around the world including developed countries like the United Kingdom and France," he added.
Malaysia has no laws against homosexuality, but sodomy is a crime under the Penal Code and can earn the convicted person up to 20 years in jail.
'Don't go public'
In 2011, a similar event 'Seksualiti Merdeka' in Kuala Lumpur was banned, where about 30 police personnel stormed the event while it was in progress.
Muhammad Faisal said his organisation viewed the upcoming event in Penang as a reaction to the extreme negative attitude and perception of society towards the LGBT community.
Such extreme perceptions, he added, results in citizens being punished unjustly in certain situations just because of their tendency towards the LGBT community.
He stressed that it was better for members of the LGBT community to be approached or given the right guidance for their behaviour, rather than be given wide recognition via events like Pink Dot.
He said Abim will be submitting a protest letter to the Penang government, the State Islamic Affairs Department and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department.
Protest letters will also be sent to Prime Minister Najib Razak and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
"We will also lodge a police report over the event as it is in conflict with the spirit contained in Article 3 of the federal constitution, which clearly upholds Islam and other religions as the base of the country's values," Muhammad Faisal said.
It is learnt that the event is a workshop on human rights issues, and that the programmes also includes a gathering of those who respect freedom of expression.
Malaysiakini is contacting the organisers for comments on the event.
Posters of the event have been uploaded on the Internet, and the event is to be held at the 1926 Heritage Hotel on March 29.Abim secretary Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz described the event as celebrating "free love" between LGBT persons, saying this was "against the values of all religions and cultures in Malaysia".
He said such an event, according to Pink Dot Singapore's website was also held in the island state last year, seeking equal rights for the LGBT community.
"We view this matter gravely as such an effort is rude and clearly disrespects the sentiments of the majority in this country," said Muhammad Faisal in a statement.
"Such events appear to promote elements of deviant love, which is seen happening around the world including developed countries like the United Kingdom and France," he added.
Malaysia has no laws against homosexuality, but sodomy is a crime under the Penal Code and can earn the convicted person up to 20 years in jail.
'Don't go public'
In 2011, a similar event 'Seksualiti Merdeka' in Kuala Lumpur was banned, where about 30 police personnel stormed the event while it was in progress.
Muhammad Faisal said his organisation viewed the upcoming event in Penang as a reaction to the extreme negative attitude and perception of society towards the LGBT community.
Such extreme perceptions, he added, results in citizens being punished unjustly in certain situations just because of their tendency towards the LGBT community.He stressed that it was better for members of the LGBT community to be approached or given the right guidance for their behaviour, rather than be given wide recognition via events like Pink Dot.
He said Abim will be submitting a protest letter to the Penang government, the State Islamic Affairs Department and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department.
Protest letters will also be sent to Prime Minister Najib Razak and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
"We will also lodge a police report over the event as it is in conflict with the spirit contained in Article 3 of the federal constitution, which clearly upholds Islam and other religions as the base of the country's values," Muhammad Faisal said.
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