Police seize PSM Youth leader's phone in LGBTQ+ event probe

Summary

• Police question two PSM Youth members over LGBTQ+ event and seize a handphone belonging to one of them.

• Initially, the probe was under two laws, but now includes Section 505(c) of the Penal Code for incitement-related offences.

The police confiscated the handphone of a PSM figure today as part of an investigation into an LGBTQ+ event organised by the party's youth wing.

Lawyer Rajsurian Pillai told Malaysiakini that the mobile device was taken after statements were recorded from two PSM members by the Bukit Aman Classified Crimes Investigation Unit.

The two individuals questioned were PSM Youth chairperson Amanda Shweeta Louis and the wing's secretary, Huei Ting.

The confiscated handphone is understood to belong to Huei.

While no arrests have been made, Rajsurian (above, second from left) said the duo were informed that the probe against them now also includes Section 505(c) of the Penal Code.

The legislation relates to the making of statements with the intent to incite any community to commit an offence against others.

Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan had 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.

Yesterday, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Shuhaily Zain said the number of reports received on the event had risen from 21 to 188.

Previously, Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek asserted that the police have no legal basis to probe the event, claiming that the ongoing investigation amounts to a serious abuse of power by the authorities.

Zaid stressed that while Islam is the official religion of the federation, it does not authorise the government to "go on a witch-hunt" against events while allegedly infringing the tenets of Islam.

Event postponed

The event has since been postponed due to safety concerns following fierce backlash from conservative groups, including the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) and Malay rights group Perkasa.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar had also 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.

Amanda later said the minister’s statement had led to increased hateful comments and death threats on PSM’s social media.

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