Opposition MP seeks clarification over conflicting accounts of Kemumim raid
Datuk Ahmad Saad (PN–Pokok Sena) described the conflicting statements from the ministry and the police regarding the incident as puzzling.
"I would like the ministry to respond regarding the recent arrests at what has been described as a gay party, as the statements issued about the event are contradictory, which is rather strange.
"There appears to be a conflict between the Health Ministry and the police. In other words, who is telling the truth – or who is not?
"Kelantan police have confirmed that there was no involvement from non-governmental organisations, health clinics, or the Health Ministry at the event. In fact, no representatives from any NGOs or ministry agencies were present," he said during the debate on the 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in the Dewan Rakyat today.
On July 17, it was reported that police had foiled a secret gathering involving more than 100 gay men in Pengkalan Chepa, believed to be on the verge of escalating into immoral activities.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the event was held at a rented bungalow in Kemumin in mid-June, following a tip-off from the public about a planned closed-door gathering of a gay group in Kota Baru.
However, on July 22, the Kelantan Health Department issued a statement clarifying that the event was, in fact, an HIV awareness programme.
The programme was organised by Sahabat, a non-governmental organisation operating under the guidance of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said on X that collaboration between the ministry, state health departments, and NGOs was vital in reaching high-risk populations, to raise awareness about prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.
However, on July 23, Yusoff reiterated in a statement that the police stood by their original assessment that the gathering was not a health-related event but a social gathering involving members of the gay community.
He said investigations found no evidence that the invitations referred to any official collaboration or organisation by NGOs, health clinics, or the Health Ministry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
PN endorses United Opposition Front to coordinate stand on key national issues
KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional's (PN) Supreme Council has reviewed and endorsed a proposal to form Barisan Pembangkang Bersatu (BPB), or the United Opposition Front, aimed at forging consensus on key national and public interest issues among political parties outside the ruling coalition. The proposal, presented by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today, outlines the formation of a structured platform to enable opposition parties to take joint positions on matters affecting the people and the country. In a statement issued after the meeting, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said the objective was to coordinate efforts among non-government political entities and align their responses to issues of national concern through a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility. "The Supreme Council has agreed in principle to the formation of this opposition front and will initiate follow-up discussions with other political parties outside the government bloc," he said via the statement posted on PN's official Facebook page. He said the council viewed the proposal as a step forward in strengthening the voice of the opposition and ensuring the concerns of ordinary Malaysians are brought to the forefront of national discourse. "The supreme council sees it as a timely and necessary move to restore balance to the country's democratic process. We must unite all political forces outside the ruling bloc to ensure there is a credible, structured and effective opposition that can speak and act on behalf of the people," he said. Azmin added that further discussions would be held with other political parties and civil society groups before proceeding with the initiative. He also said that earlier in the meeting, which was attended by top leaders of all component parties, the council discussed preparations for the upcoming Sabah state election. "A central committee, chaired by opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, was formed to coordinate seat distribution, campaign strategies, and manifesto development. Among the concerns raised were over the long-standing infrastructure issues in Sabah, especially water supply, electricity, and road access, that are said to have burdened the people for far too long," he said. Azmin also reiterated that PN fully supported the Himpunan Turun Anwar rally, describing it as a peaceful gathering reflecting the people's demand for real change. "This is not merely a protest. It is the people's expression of frustration and hope for a better future, free from economic oppression and authoritarian governance," he added.
Free Malaysia Today
13 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
5 simple questions on the ‘Turun Anwar' campaign
I very much hope the authorities will not hinder the 'Turun Anwar' rally — set for this Saturday, July 26 — as I am curious to see who will attend. Will electoral reform group Bersih mobilise? I am very sure Perikatan Nasional will mobilise its supporters. That means thousands of PAS supporters will likely turn up in support of their own leaders whom, they think, can do no wrong. Will Muda turn up in full force with its founder Syed Sadiq Syed Abdul Rahman and acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz? Will Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his family make an appearance? What about the family of the late Daim Zainuddin, Mahathir's closest confidant? Will they also show up? Who will attend? I am on pins and needles. Of course, I expect the immature Sabah students — the self-declared future leaders of our country known for their portrait-burning antics — to turn up. No matter who attends, there are five questions I would like to ask the rally goers. First, should Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim be the real target of the rally? In a democracy, as I assume the rally goers know fully well, Anwar will only be forced to step down if Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) — Sarawak's ruling coalition — and Umno were to pull out of the unity government. That would signal the collapse of the current government and trigger an election. Alternatively, if GPS and Umno decide to throw their support behind PN, then we will have a new 'functioning' government. But, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. Which reminds me of a funny story. A man in a desert once asked a genie he released from a bottle for one wish — to be wealthy. The genie obliged and heaped treasures on him, only for him to die of thirst a few days later because it never occurred to the man that he should have wished for water. Those unaffiliated to PN who are intending to attend the 'Turun Anwar' rally should perhaps think through what they are asking for. Second question: if Anwar were to step down, who do you see stepping up to replace him? The rally organisers are not calling for the unity government to be removed. But is there an obvious successor within the unity government? Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli? But didn't he just resign? That means he is unlikely to be a candidate for the top job. Nurul Izzah Anwar? She is not even an MP. A politician friend of mine suggested Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Wan Azizah, we remember, opted for Mahathir to be the prime minister in 2018. So, who else is left? We do have deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof. But will MPs from West Malaysia support one from GPS, which has only a few seats in Parliament, for the top post? I do not think so. So we are left with the other deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Which puts us back at square one. Congratulations, 'Turun Anwar' rally goers. My third question. Will those who take over from Anwar be able to resolve issues surrounding the death of former political aide Teoh Beng Hock, Pastor Raymond Koh's disappearance, the potential house arrest of former prime minister Najib Razak or the current stand-off on judicial appointments. Will the likes of PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali, Urimai chairman P Ramasamy, or Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz be able to resolve these issues? How would they go about it? I am really interested to know. The fourth question here is, shouldn't the rally goers also get the people to reject GPS, Umno, DAP, Amanah and PKR? After all, they are all part of the 'failed' government. Perhaps, they can invite Rafizi and former minister Khairy Jamaluddin to tear apart PKR and Umno respectively, someone from Sarawak to do the same to GPS and Ramasamy to disavow DAP. Then, and only then, can we get rid of Anwar and bury his political career once and for all. My final question: shouldn't the rally organiser deploy their forces to the homes of the MPs and urge them to table a no-confidence motion on Anwar? After all, Anwar has said he will allow such a vote to take place in Parliament. So what are they waiting for? Lobby the 152 MPs at their homes, their offices and on their social media platforms. It isn't that difficult to do. To the organisers of the rally, don't bother shouting useless slogans that are bereft of political strategy. Do it right or just stay home and drop your next podcast. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Concerns over appointment of AG: Are they about principles of good governance and independence or politics? — Hafiz Hassan
JULY 25 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has raised concerns over the appointment of a serving civil servant as Auditor-General (AG). He makes reference to Articles 7 and 105(4) and (5) of the Federal Constitution. Article 7 is on 'Protection against retrospective criminal laws and repeated trials'. What has this got to do with the appointment of AG? Article 105(4) and (5) read as follows: '(4) Parliament shall by law provide for the remuneration of the Auditor General, and the remuneration so provided shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.' '(5) The remuneration and other terms of office (including pension rights) of the Auditor General shall not be altered to his disadvantage after his appointment.' The above are said to imply that the AG must not be a serving member of the civil service, stressing the importance of independence in the role. While Hamzah (pic) may have conceded that the appointment of the AG 'may not be illegal', Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan did question the legitimacy of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi's appointment as AG and whether it complied with the Federal Constitution. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa It is curious that Hamzah makes no reference refer to Article 105(1) which states as follows: 'There shall be an Auditor General, who shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers.' The Opposition Leader does not also refer to Article 139(1), which reads as follows: '(1) There shall be a Public Services Commission, whose jurisdiction shall, subject to Article 144, extend to all persons who are members of the services mentioned in paragraphs © and (f) of Clause (1) of Article 132, other than the Auditor General, to members of the public services of the State of Malacca and the State of Penang, and, to the extent provided by Clause (2), to members of the public service of any other State.' (Emphasis added) While Hamzah may have conceded that the appointment of the AG 'may not be illegal', Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan did question the legitimacy of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi's appointment as AG and whether it complied with the Federal Constitution. Takiyuddin is not just a lawmaker but a lawyer by profession. He should know that there is a legal presumption called presumption of legality which is an established common law rule. It is the very general presumption that people have acted lawfully unless and until the contrary is proved. The presumption is the basis of the requirement that someone who alleges wrongdoing on the part of another must establish the truth of his allegation, according to the relevant standard of proof and in a court of competent jurisdiction. The presumption is said to be strong as the party who alleges having an onerous burden to overcome the presumption with compelling prima facie evidence of grounds to challenge the legality or lawfulness of an act. (See the Federal Court decision in Sundra Rajoo a/l Nadarajah v Menteri Luar Negeri, Malaysia & Ors [2021] 5 MLJ 209) Let's raise this question about the opposition raising questions over the appointment of Wan Suraya as AG: are they principles of good governance and independence or politics? **This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
