Malaysian MP Khalid Abdul Samad has threatened to sue an activist who suggest that he approved a ‘gay party’.
Wan Asshima Kamaruddin, president of Muslim women coalition Gerakan Muslimah Islam Malaysia (GMIM) posted a video accusing the Federal Territories Minister of approving a ‘gay party’.
The activist has since removed the offending video and offered and apology, but also told local media that it was true that a massive two day gay festival was going to be occurring.
When the activist fronted the media though her ‘gay party’ was a electronic dance music festival that made no mention of sexuality or gay rights.
The offended Minister has refused to back down and has told reporters that the activist can “see him in court”.
“She did not come out with any statement to apologise for the slander, she apologised for instead for humiliating me.
“I don’t feel like i was humiliated from that statement, it is a baseless accusation; it is slander and the person committing the slander is the one humiliating themselves,” Khalis told Malaysia Today.
The politician said that free speech comes at a price, and people should be held responsible for their public statements.
“When person wants to say something they have to be careful and be responsible for what they say, the right to free speech doesn’t mean there is no reaction or implications from what we say.” Khalis said.
There has been a significant crackdown on LGBTIQ gatherings in Malaysia in recent weeks, following some MPs suggesting that homosexuality should be decriminalized.
Earlier this month two women pleaded guilty to breaking Islamic law by engaging in a sexual act. They have been sentenced to receive six lashes. The sentence is expected to be carried out on Tuesday 28th August.
The long running Blue Boy nightclub was also recently raided by police who claimed the LGBT themed club was responsible for an increase of people under the influence of drugs in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
The director of the George Town Festival was also instructed to remove two portraits from an exhibition that celebrated Malaysian citizens. Pictures that featured transgender people and gay people were removed from the exhibition.
Human Rights Watch has recently highlighted the mixed messages being given by Malaysian politicians who one minute call for LGBTI people to be respected in their workplaces, but in the next breath express concern about gay culture spreading across the nation.
OIP Staff
