Cops to question PSM duo over LGBTQ+ event

Summary

• Police have summoned two PSM figures to record their statements about a LGBTQ+ workshop organised by the party’s youth wing.

• The workshop is being investigated under the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act after 21 police reports were lodged.

• The event has been postponed following fierce backlash from conservative groups.

Two PSM figures have been summoned for police questioning concerning an LGBTQ+ workshop organised by the party’s youth wing.

Lawyer Rajsurian Pillai confirmed with Malaysiakini that the duo will be providing their statements at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman at 2pm today.

The Classified Crimes Investigation Unit under the Criminal Investigation Department is carrying out the investigation, he added.

Earlier, Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan confirmed probes into the event, which has since been postponed due to safety concerns following fierce backlash from conservative groups.

At the time, Hussein said that the investigation was being conducted under Section 298A of the Penal Code, which criminalises disturbing public tranquillity by insulting or undermining any religion, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

He added that the programme was seen as crossing public sensitivities and violating national laws, which do not support any form of LGBTQ+ practices in the country.

He also noted that 21 reports against the event had been lodged by NGOs and the public at 11 district police headquarters.

Govt against LGBTQ+ normalisation

On Wednesday (May 28), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar said that the government rejects all attempts at normalising LGBTQ+ culture.

He was commenting on PSM Youth’s “Pride Care: Queer Stories and Sexual Health Awareness” programme in conjunction with Pride Month.

Na’im said the organisation of such programmes challenges the moral and religious values of Malaysians, even if it were to be held behind closed doors.

PSM Youth chairperson Amanda Shweeta Louis previously said the minister’s statement had led to increased hateful comments and death threats on PSM’s social media.

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