29 Sep 2017

Amid Rumors of LGBT party in KL, NGOs Protest

More than 25 NGOs joined in denouncing festivals that promote alcohol consumption and LGBT in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

A coalition of NGOs came together on Friday in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to protest festivals that celebrate LGBT and alcohol consumption.

"We urge the government to not approve permits or requests to organise any festivals that insults the sanctity of Islam," said spokesperson Nazilah Idris, according to the News Straits Times.

"And we also call on the government to enact a law that will only permit alcohol consumption in closed areas. People should be prohibited from drinking alcohol outside or in public areas including organising festivals," he said.

Organizers of Thailand's LGBT White Party denied that there would be an edition held in Kuala Lumpur this week.

Blue Satittammanoon, a representative of Cloud 9 Inc, which produces the White Party Bangkok, said the festival would only be held in Bangkok, Thailand, and not in other countries.

"Cloud 9 holds the White Party franchise in Asia and has no intention of bringing the event to Malaysia," he said in an email to Today Online. "There is no White Party festival as claimed in the press in any part of Malaysia on Sept 30, or any (other) time."

Malaysias Deputy Prime Minister said last week that the government would not allow an LGBT party to take place in Malaysia. "If such a party or event is held, then it is an illegal gathering," he said to Malaysian journalists on Thursday.

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.

Watch last week's demonstration below.