Pusat KOMAS strongly condemns the actions by the authorities to enforce a blanket ban on the events organised by “Seksualiti Merdeka” on the grounds that it would create “a public disturbance”.

This annual event has been organized since 2008 without any undue disturbances as claimed by the authorities. The sole objective of this event is to give a voice to the lesbians, gay, bisexual, transexual, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community who are discriminated against and harassed almost daily just because they are different.

The event provides a platform for this marginalised group in Malaysia to come together and address issues faced by this particular community.

The authorities have shown a very clear lack of understanding in this issue by the way they are handling the issue.

Unfortunately this is also made worse by certain politicians and groups who have openly attacked this group instead of seeking to understand the issue and exercise dialogue with them.

It is sad to see that Malaysia, which has always claimed to be a modern democratic country with room for discourse and dialogue, has resorted to banning a peaceful event where a certain community of people wished to peacefully express themselves by open discussion and discourse about issues about their lives.

Furthermore this is a slap on the face of the freedom of expression and free speech as guaranteed by the universal principles of human rights.

What’s more saddening is the fact that such arbitrary actions displayed by the authorities and the police have violated a very important document of our country, which is the Federal Constitution, which states in Article 10 that (a) “every citizen has a right to freedom of speech and expression; and that (b) all citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms

It is clear that this issue has become a political tool being played by some parties to gain favor and want to be seen as champions of doing the right thing.

However, it is truly disappointing to see how the government, which is supposed to uphold the rights of all its citizens, has also joined the bandwagon to further suppress the community and their right to freedom of speech and expression.

The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) under articles 1-3 clearly states that all humans are born free and are equal in dignity and rights and these same rights should be applied to LGBTIQ community as well.

Everybody deserves to have their dignity respected regardless of their sexual orientation or their gender identity.

Everybody is entitled to have their own views on the issue but their views should not cause fear for others to be true to who they really are.

Every community has the right to believe in what they believe in as long as it does not infringe the rights of others.

We call on the government to prove its commitment to the people and do the right thing.

Firstly, to understand the issue by becoming more aware and shed away the unnecessary “fear of the unknown”.

Then, to engage in dialogue instead of banning anything that it does not understand!

We strongly urge the Malaysian government, the police and some political and religious quarters to show the world that Malaysia truly upholds basic human rights by showing willingness to understand people who are different rather than condemning them.

Start living up to the often over-used slogans of “Malaysia Boleh” and “Malaysia Truly Asia”

Prove to the global community that these slogans are not merely decorative words to attract tourist to our country but show in actions that the Malaysian government truly cares for all the people.

- Pusat KOMAS is a popular Malaysian communications human rights center.