LGBT in Women's March: PAS raps gov't for 'right to assembly' reply

Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man today criticised the government's "shallow" response on the participation of pro-LGBT groups in the Women's March earlier this year.

As such, the PAS deputy president is calling for the withdrawal of de facto Deputy Law Minister Mohamed Hanipa Maidin's parliamentary reply.

“The deputy minister’s reply was very shallow and disappointing," he said in a statement.

"I urge the deputy minister's answer to be withdrawn as it contradicts stipulations in the law and statements from the police. 

"Such an answer is seen as not addressing the real issue and could confuse the public."

In his parliamentary reply on Wednesday, Hanipa said that the Women's March did not violate Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.

He was responding to Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff on why the march was classified as 'no further action' when it "obviously violated Islam and the Federal Constitution."

Hanipa added that organisers submitted a notice to the police 10 days before the Women's March in line with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, and that the attorney-general had no right to prosecute those who purportedly went against Islam.

Read more: PAS leader, not gov't, who is shallow - PSM

According to Tuan Ibrahim, however, the freedoms of expression and assembly should not affect public interests and contravene moral principles.

"The LGBT community should be treated, and not allowed to become so widespread that it affects society's well-being," said the Kubang Kerian MP.

Tuan Ibrahim pointed out that the Women's March had been criticised by de facto Islamic Affairs Minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa for defending LGBT rights.

He added that the event also went against Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s previous statements on the LGBT lifestyle being unsuited to Malaysia.

KINIGUIDE

A guide to what happened at Women’s March