PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan has joined the protest against Seksualiti Merdeka, warning that it would create a perception that homosexuality is accepted in the country.

NONE If Seksualiti Merdeka was allowed to proceed, campaigns advocating rights and freedom for such sexuality would spread and become difficult to curb, Sinar Harian today quoted Nasrudin as saying.

The organiser's intention of fighting for democracy and human rights does not legitimise 'negative activities'.

"Not everything can be done in the name of human rights because matters that would bring harm should not be organised," the Malay daily reports Nasrudin as saying.

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

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

Hindu Sangam too wants festival stopped

Also on Seksualiti Merdeka, another Malay language daily Utusan Malaysia quoted Gabungan NGO Malaysia secretary Jurit Ramli as saying that the programmes were 'indirect evidence' of a concerted effort to undermine the sanctity of Islam.

"We would like to remind the organisers not to challenge Muslims in Malaysia and to respect the constitution if they do not want anything to happen," Jurit told Utusan .

The paper also quoted Federal Territories Hindu Sangam deputy president P Chandiran as saying that the government must play its role in putting a stop to Seksualiti Merdeka.

"Clearly, the programmes are against society's norms. Therefore the government must take stern action against such activities so that this phenomenon can be curbed," Chandiran is quoted as saying.

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