RTM pulls cartoon series off air over alleged LGBTQ+ element

National broadcaster RTM has pulled a cartoon series called "Cleopatra in Space" off the air following criticisms over characters with LGBTQ+ elements.

In a statement, its Public Affairs Division said the decision was made after RTM received complaints regarding the show aired on its TV2 channel over the weekend.

"Following the complaints, RTM has stopped airing the animated series.

"At the same time, an internal investigation has also been launched," it added.

According to TV2’s description of the series, Cleopatra is an Egyptian teenage princess who dreams of having more adventures. While playing with a friend, Cleopatra accidentally gets caught in a portal that teleports her 30,000 years into the future.

Several days ago, a netizen complained on social media that the cartoon contained an LGBTQ+ element, where one of the characters, a fish-alien girl named Akila, has two lesbian mothers.

The Thread user took a photo of the two mothers kissing Akila’s cheeks.

‘Is there no thorough screening?’

Following this, PAS ulama wing chief Ahmad Yahaya issued a statement last night criticising RTM and questioning how the government-owned television station selects its content.

He said this was the second time such an issue had occurred, after RTM aired an animated series last year called "Santiago of the Seven Seas", which also allegedly contained similar elements.

That show was also removed from scheduled programming last November after viewers raised concerns about LGBTQ+ influences.

“Is the communications minister or the programme producers not conducting strict and thorough screening on this aspect?

"We should be aware that this is a new strategy being carried out to spread LGBTQ+ ideology through children’s cartoon programmes.

"Various studies have indicated that there is a wave of LGBTQ+ influence at the international level using children’s cartoon narratives. Two LGBTQ+ character types that dominate such cartoons are ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ characters," Ahmad said.

The Pokok Sena MP urged RTM and the government to be more careful about such attempts to sow seeds of LGBTQ+ influence and to conduct stricter checks on cartoon programmes, especially those imported from other countries.

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