Police Ban 'Seksualiti Merdeka' Programme - Khalid

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysia Police today banned any functions organised by any group relating to the 'Seksualiti Merdeka' programme in the interest of public order.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said police had identified and would call everyone involved including former Bar Council president Datuk S.Ambiga to record their statements.

"Police will take action under Section 27 A (1) (C) of the Police Act as well as 298 A of the Penal Code to prevent any function relating to the programme," he told a media conference, here Thursday.

He said the law in the country did not recognise any deviationist activity that could destroy the practice of religious freedom.

"Police received many protests from non-governmental organisations including Islamic and non-Islamic organisations who feared that the programme could create disharmony, enmity and disturb public order," he said.

Merdeka Seksualiti 2011, the five-day programme which started two days ago at the Annexe Galeri, Central Market here, among other things called for equal rights for the homosexual and transsexual groups such as the gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersexual and transgender groups.

Khalid said two police reports had been received so far urging the police to take action against those for trying to organise the programme which jeopardised public order.

"Based on the reports and investigation, we will call them up to give them advice. Firstly, we advise them not to proceed with the programme. If they are adamant, we will not hesitate to detain them (organisers) including those who participate," he said.

He said police urged members of the public not to participate in the programme as it could disturb public order.

"Beginning today, we will stop whatever event carried out by the organisers and I advise members of the public not to attend any of the programmes organised by this group.

"The Bar Council should advise the organisers that their action is against the law. I don't understand why they (Bar Council) did not explain to them (on the offence)," he said.

Khalid said as a national security agency, the police were responsible for public order and they should tackle any threat much earlier.

"Police are not against any human rights to express their opinion. But when this (programme) crops up and threatens national security, we have to take action," he said.

The Deputy Director-General of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, Razali Shahabudin said the programme could have negative effects and raise the risk of HIV and Aids infection among Malaysians.

He said in a statement that such activities were also against the norms and lifestyle of the people of various religions in the country.

The Director-General of the Institute of Islamic Understanding (IKIM) Datuk Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan said the programme was clearly uncivilised and deviated from human behaviour and degraded human being as being worse than animals.

In SHAH ALAM, Umno information head Datuk Ahmad Maslan said it was more appropriate for the Seksualiti Merdeka programme to be known as deviationist sexuality and it tainted the word 'merdeka'.

Ahmad, who is also Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said sexual liberty, such as gay and lesbianism not only went against Islamic teachings but also the teachings of other religions.

"Don't be bound to the Western ways which legalised homosexuality, same sex marriages...going against the norms of the country which made Islam as the Federal religion," he told reporters after opening a seminar here.