154 reports against Seksualiti Merdeka

The Sun Daily
by CHARLES RAMENDRAN

> Police record statements from more than 50 people

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have received 154 reports so far from individuals and various organisations opposing Seksualiti Merdeka’s planned programmes.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said yesterday investigations into the case are ongoing and statements have been recorded from more than 50 people. 

“We expect to interview more people. It is a good thing the organisers called off the event. 

“I hope there are no splinter groups that will try to hold any event in support of Seksualiti Merdeka. If it is banned it means it has been banned. 

“Whatever we may do, we have to look into the sensitivities of our culture, race and religion. Let us not look into the interest of minority groups and end up infuriating the majority,” he said at a press conference during a Deepavali open house by Kuala Lumpur police at the Cheras badminton stadium.

Among those interviewed were journalists who covered a press conference by the organisers of Seksualiti Merdeka. Reporter Michelle Chun of theSunwas also called up yesterday and met investigators at the Pantai Dalam police station for an interview.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief SAC II Datuk Ku Chin Wah said the journalists had their statements recorded as witnesses in the case.

On Monday, former Malaysian Bar chairman and Bersih 2.0 leader Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, who was supposed to launch the event last week before it was called off, had her statement recorded by police.

The Seksualiti Merdeka 2011 programme which was scheduled to be launched on Wednesday and end on Nov 13 at Central Market’s Annexe Gallery, had been a yearly festival since 2008 advocating freedom of sexual orientation and gender identity, and to protect the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, intersexuals and transgenders.