MANILA, 22 Sept 2017:
The Malaysian government will not allow the gay event or party planned for Sept 30 in Kuala Lumpur, said Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the organiser had yet to apply for a permit for the event or party but he had instructed the police not to approve the gathering. “If such a party or event is held, then it is an illegal gathering.”
A news portal report two days ago stated that a gay event would be held in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 30 to promote ‘White Party Bangkok’, the biggest annual gay music festival in Asia, scheduled for Dec 28 in Thailand.
Ahmad Zahid said he had received a report from Bukit Aman on the planned holding of the event and he had instructed the police to act accordingly.
He said he had also instructed the Immigration Department to deny visa or permission of entry to any foreign national intending to attend the event.
“We are monitoring the names of the relevant individuals and will place them on the ‘not to let’ category.”
Ahmad Zahid said the government was most concerned about the police report and the concerns of NGOs and political bodies on the planned holding of the event.
“As the Home Minister, I have instructed the police and Immigration Department to ensure that the White Party is not held in our country, anywhere at all – indoors or outdoors. This is my commitment that I wish to state to all Malaysians.”
Separately, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the Better Beer Festival 2017 – planned to be held in the federal capital early next month – did not receive police support due to security reasons.
In a statement, he said there was information that militants planned to sabotage the festival. “The information also revealed that there are some parties planning to disrupt the festival and this will lead to a situation posing security risks.”
To prevent any untoward incidents from occurring, he said police had to take proactive measures to object to the festival being held in order to maintain public order.
The Better Beer Festival 2017, which was supposed to be held on Oct 6 and 7 at a premises in Kuala Lumpur, also did not get the approval of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall due to licensing-related factors.
– Bernama