Contrary to what some may perceive, what happened between me and Hew Kuan Yau, better known by his moniker ‘Superman’, has nothing to do with personal altercation but everything to do with what Pakatan Harapan in general and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in particular stands for as a political alternative.

As an openly gay columnist, political commentator and humanitarian worker with the United Nations, I am entitled to and responsible for my own decisions including my sexual orientation, and all that I ask is for others to respect them, just as I respect others’ rights to marriage, celibacy, political activism, so on and so forth.

Being a Christian in a non-traditional sense with no church affiliation, I am accountable to the God that I believe in, and no-one else. If my view or argument is found preposterous, I will eat humble pie.

Since a few months ago, Hew has been attacking relentlessly my sexuality just because I disagreed with much of his position and on several occasions retorted him on Facebook.

He once suggested to his fans that I was bashed up by a white man in a bar for making sexual advances, but failed to present any evidence when I challenged him to do so on his FB, no less. I could have chosen to ignore his baseless allegations and innuendoes, but to put up with all his nonsense and tasteless antics would only embolden him further.

Also, it truly puzzles me whenever he labels others who are equally disgusted with Umno rule with all sorts of names. When Ng Yap Hwa, a well-known social activist constantly working on the ground to reach out to the downtrodden and take up their causes, reminded Hew of the essence of socialism, which Hew allegedly subscribes to, he only ended up being derided as a failed socialist begging for money.

Has Hew forgotten how the working class people helped keep DAP’s torch of social democracy burning by donating the little that they had in the 1960s through the 2000s, before the party’s fortunes turned around in March 2008?

Hew also calls those who worked untiringly behind the now defunct Merdeka Review , once a popular Chinese news portal, ‘lights-out/jobless literati’ and ‘losers’, blatantly insulting the very people who had contributed considerably to promoting alternative ideas and intellectual debate within the Chinese Malaysian society at a time when the symbiosis between the mainstream Chinese press and the ruling coalition was growing stronger by the day.

I must admit I do not see eye to eye with Hew on a host of public issues, but it does not stop me from defending him whenever necessary. When he was viciously attacked by the Sin Chew Daily several years ago, I was among the first persons to lend him support, just as I had defended other opposition figures when they were confronted with the wolf-pack pursuit by the Umno-controlled media in the past.

Remember how Fong Po Kuan and Teresa Kok were bullied by Umno goons?

Malaysians over the last few decades have been suffering tremendously under an increasingly right-wing, conservative, authoritarian and paternalistic rule by Umno, and the weak minorities - ranging from the poor, the unemployed, the leftists, the indigenous peoples, the non-Muslims, the non-mainstream Muslims, the non-religious, civil society, the opposition parties and their supporters, the women to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities - have been made to bear much of the brunt.

New, progressive and inclusive ideas

For Malaysian politics to move forward with new, progressive and inclusive ideas, one must rise above petty name-calling, gutter politics, as well as anachronistic and feudalistic values.

As a Malaysian citizen with the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the constitution (albeit much distorted by Umno), one has every right to disagree with others’ sexual orientations, sexuality and life choices, but one has no right to attack others based on one or more of these elements.

Hew has been making all kinds of discriminatory, divisive, sexist and damaging remarks, some bordering on racism. A PhD holder from the prestigious Chinese University of Hong Kong and an eloquent and articulate speaker, Hew could have put his talent to better use by educating the masses on policy issues and helping them make informed decisions.

That he has chosen to do the complete opposite truly defies logic and sanity, and runs counter to everything that DAP is said to stand for.

Over the last three years, Hew has given more than 500 speeches on the DAP platform, and used to tout himself as a senior lecturer at the party’s Social Democracy Academy. He continues to be invited by a good many of DAP leaders for fundraising dinners and events on account of his popularity, which makes it hard for the DAP leadership to dissociate the party from him entirely.

It is akin to Najib Abdul Razak absolving himself of responsibility over discriminatory remarks by Biro Tata Negara officials or Perkasa, no?

If anything, DAP, with many bright minds, does not necessarily need Hew to win more hearts and minds especially if the party truly aspires to become a liberal, progressive and social democratic party. For an influential public figure to become the evil that he himself so much despises is an affront against the very people that Pakatan Harapan and especially DAP have ostensibly set out to help.

In short, Malaysians deserve better and they should be told that they do deserve better, which is why I am writing this piece to put on record that I have done my part. For those who have shown me support and encouragement, words truly cannot express my profound gratitude, and I can only repay your graciousness with a humble pledge that I will write on without fear and favour.

JOSH HONG studied politics at London Metropolitan University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. A keen watcher of domestic and international politics, he longs for a day when Malaysians will learn and master the art of self-mockery, and enjoy life to the full in spite of politicians.