Latest news with #Suaram
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Three fined for having gay porn content on phones
PETALING JAYA: Three individuals, including two students from higher education institutions, have been fined a total of RM11,000 after pleading guilty to having same-sex pornographic content on their phones. Al Azamuddin Al Fadzil, 22, from Setiawan, Perak and Mohamad Syahmi Firas Mohd Jurij, 27, from Bachok, Kelantan were fined RM4,000 each while Mohd Mohd Hanafi Ibrahim, 47, from Kota Baru was fined RM3,000 at the Kota Baru Magistrate's Court, Sinar Harian reported. The trio were charged with possessing the content on their phones in a house on Jalan Kemumin, Kampung Belacang, Kota Baru on June 18. Charges were filed under Section 292 of Penal Code, which brings a maximum jail term of three years, or a fine, or both, if convicted. The trio were released after paying the fines. This comes after police raided a bungalow in Kemumin, Kota Baru, where a "gay sex party" supposedly took place. The raid sparked controversy after several non-governmental organisations and individuals denied that any illicit activities took place. In a joint statement, Suaram, the Women's Aid Organisation, Parti Sosialis Malaysia and Amnesty International Malaysia refuted claims of immoral conduct, stating that "the participants attended to get information and undergo sexual health tests." The Malaysian AIDS Council also confirmed that a field engagement session was conducted on June 17 in Kota Baru under the Different HIV Services for Key Population programme, which is supported by the Health Ministry. Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan has since called for a fair and thorough investigation into the matter.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
'Gay sex party' or HIV outreach programme?: Kelantan deputy MB urges thorough probe
KOTA BHARU: Kelantan deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan has called for a fair and thorough investigation into the recent police raid at a bungalow in Kemumin, Kota Bharu, which was alleged to have been the site of a 'gay sex party'. The raid, carried out by the Kelantan police, has sparked controversy after several NGOs and individuals denied that any illicit activities took place, claiming instead that the gathering was a health outreach event focused on HIV awareness and testing. "The Kelantan state government calls for the investigation to be conducted neatly and thoroughly so that no party falls victim to misunderstanding, slander or public punishment before the truth is determined," said Fadzli on Facebook on Sunday (July 20). In a joint statement, Suaram, the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and Amnesty International Malaysia refuted claims of immoral conduct, stating that 'the participants attended to get information and undergo sexual health tests.' The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) also confirmed that a field engagement session was conducted on June 17 in Kota Bharu under the Different HIV Services for Key Population (DHSKP) programme, which is supported by the Health Ministry. They were referring to reports quoting Kelantan police saying more than 20 men were arrested in a bungalow in Kota Bahru, allegedly for attending a 'gay party'. However, Fadzli maintained the state government's firm stance against activities it deems immoral or in contradiction to Islamic principles. "Any form of disobedience that attempts to normalise will not be allowed a place to reside in this state," said Fadzli, adding that all stakeholders must play their role in safeguarding the sanctity and harmony of society. Fadzli stressed the importance of transparency, especially in clarifying whether the attendees were from outside Kelantan. 'If it is true as reported, that the participants of the programme came from outside Kelantan and do not involve the people of the state, then this information also needs to be explained publicly so that innocent Kelantan citizens do not become victims of accusation and slander,' he said. He also urged organisers of any programme, especially those that may stir public sensitivities, to seek prior approval from relevant authorities.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kelantan govt wants full probe into gay party incident
KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government has called for a thorough inquiry into last month's alleged gay gathering at a bungalow in Kampung Kemumin, urging that no party be subjected to misunderstanding, slander, or premature public judgement. Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the state is aware of the ongoing polemic between the Kelantan police and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as individuals who have denied that any immoral activities took place during the event. "To resolve this issue, the state government urges that investigations be carried out carefully and comprehensively so that no party becomes a victim of misunderstanding, false accusations or societal punishment before the truth is established. "If investigations prove that police actions were based on solid grounds, stern action must be taken against those involved. "Conversely, if the claims by the NGOs and individuals are proven to be true, corrective measures should be implemented. Justice must prevail," he said here today. The police raid occurred in mid-June but was only reported only on Thursday. Homosexual acts are criminalised in Malaysia and carry prison sentences under the country's civil laws. For members of the Malay-Muslim majority who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ), the risks are even higher. They may also be prosecuted under the separate Islamic legal system enforced in several states—where punishments can include public caning or mandatory programmes aimed at "rehabilitation." Fadzli also said that if the participants involved were not from Kelantan, this fact should be made clear to the public to avoid unwarranted blame being placed on the state's residents. "Transparency is essential to prevent the public from making baseless assumptions or unfair judgements. "If it is true, as reported, that the participants were from outside Kelantan, then this must be clarified openly so that innocent Kelantanese citizens are not unjustly criticised," he said. Fadzli stressed that any party intending to organise events, especially those that could raise controversy or confusion, must obtain permission from the relevant authorities. "Failure to follow proper guidelines and procedures could lead to unintended consequences and threaten the harmony of the state," he said. He acknowledged receiving multiple inquiries following the police raid, which sparked a public outcry after it was initially described as a "gay sex party". "NGOs, including Suaram, the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), and Amnesty International Malaysia, issued a joint statement denying the allegations. "They insisted that the participants were there to access health information and undergo sexual health screenings, not to engage in illicit activities. "The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) also confirmed that a field engagement session took place on June 17 under the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP) model, supported by the Ministry of Health," he added. Fadzli said the state government reaffirms its firm and uncompromising stance against any activity that contradicts Islamic teachings and moral values. "Any attempt to normalise immoral behaviour will not be tolerated in this state," he added. He also expressed appreciation for the swift and firm actions taken by the Kelantan police in line with the principle of amar makruf nahi mungkar (enjoining good and forbidding evil), which remains a core tenet of the state's governance.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
'Gay party raid': Kelantan govt seeks full investigation to uncover the truth
KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government has called for a thorough inquiry into last month's alleged gay gathering at a bungalow in Kampung Kemumin, urging that no party be subjected to misunderstanding, slander, or premature public judgement. Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the state is aware of the ongoing polemic between the Kelantan police and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as individuals who have denied that any immoral activities took place during the event. "To resolve this issue, the state government urges that investigations be carried out carefully and comprehensively so that no party becomes a victim of misunderstanding, false accusations or societal punishment before the truth is established. "If investigations prove that police actions were based on solid grounds, stern action must be taken against those involved. "Conversely, if the claims by the NGOs and individuals are proven to be true, corrective measures should be implemented. Justice must prevail," he said here today. The police raid occurred in mid-June but was only reported only on Thursday. Homosexual acts are criminalised in Malaysia and carry prison sentences under the country's civil laws. For members of the Malay-Muslim majority who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ), the risks are even higher. They may also be prosecuted under the separate Islamic legal system enforced in several states—where punishments can include public caning or mandatory programmes aimed at "rehabilitation." Fadzli also said that if the participants involved were not from Kelantan, this fact should be made clear to the public to avoid unwarranted blame being placed on the state's residents. "Transparency is essential to prevent the public from making baseless assumptions or unfair judgements. "If it is true, as reported, that the participants were from outside Kelantan, then this must be clarified openly so that innocent Kelantanese citizens are not unjustly criticised," he said. Fadzli stressed that any party intending to organise events, especially those that could raise controversy or confusion, must obtain permission from the relevant authorities. "Failure to follow proper guidelines and procedures could lead to unintended consequences and threaten the harmony of the state," he said. He acknowledged receiving multiple inquiries following the police raid, which sparked a public outcry after it was initially described as a "gay sex party". "NGOs, including Suaram, the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), and Amnesty International Malaysia, issued a joint statement denying the allegations. "They insisted that the participants were there to access health information and undergo sexual health screenings, not to engage in illicit activities. "The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) also confirmed that a field engagement session took place on June 17 under the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP) model, supported by the Ministry of Health," he added. Fadzli said the state government reaffirms its firm and uncompromising stance against any activity that contradicts Islamic teachings and moral values. "Any attempt to normalise immoral behaviour will not be tolerated in this state," he added. He also expressed appreciation for the swift and firm actions taken by the Kelantan police in line with the principle of amar makruf nahi mungkar (enjoining good and forbidding evil), which remains a core tenet of the state's governance.
Malaysiakini
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
'It was a health event,' NGOs hit back at cops over raid in Kelantan
A coalition of 31 NGOs and individuals has pushed back against police claims that a recent raid in Kelantan targeted a 'gay sex party', insisting instead that the event was a legitimate HIV awareness and health outreach session. In a joint statement yesterday, the group - which includes Justice for Sisters, Suaram, Women's Aid Organisation, PSM, and Amnesty International Malaysia - described the June programme...
