A planned LGBTQIA+ forum in Malaysia has been indefinitely postponed after facing a torrent of online abuse, threats, and condemnation from government figures.
Titled “Pride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness”, the event was scheduled for next month and aimed to provide a safe platform for the LGBTQIA+ community to share personal stories and raise awareness around sexual health.
Organised by Pemuda Sosialis—the youth wing of a small opposition party—the forum was designed as a supportive and educational space. However, after event details circulated on social media, it quickly became the target of hate-filled comments and calls for police action. Users tagged the Royal Malaysian Police on social media and demanded an investigation.
Government Condemnation and Political Climate
The situation escalated when Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar labelled the forum as promoting “deviant culture,” aligning with Malaysia’s increasingly conservative political landscape.
This development is widely viewed as part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ongoing strategy to appeal to the Muslim majority, particularly in the face of the growing influence of the Islamist party PAS, now the largest party in the Dewan Rakyat (lower house of Parliament).
Although Anwar has expressed more moderate views in the past, telling CNN in 2023 that harassment of LGBTQIA+ individuals was wrong—“Muslims and non-Muslims alike… do not accept this. But do we then go and harass them? That is a different subject.” Recent actions by his administration suggest growing political pressure to distance itself from any perceived endorsement of LGBTQIA+ causes.
Organisers Prioritise Safety
In a statement released on Saturday, Pemuda Sosialis confirmed the indefinite postponement of the event, citing concerns for the safety of its participants. The group also criticised the government for enabling the backlash that led to the cancellation.
A deleted Facebook post by the organisers expressed solidarity with Malaysia’s LGBTQIA+ community:
“Unfiltered and unapologetic, we want to show that you are seen. Despite everything, you are not alone in this journey. Your existence and experiences are valid. Your body deserves respect and care.”
Legal and Social Reality for LGBTQIA+ Malaysians
Malaysia remains one of Southeast Asia’s most restrictive countries for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Same-sex relations are criminalised under colonial-era laws, and gender expression outside of heteronormative norms is widely policed and stigmatised.
LGBTQIA+ people in the country live with minimal legal protections, limited visibility, and are often the target of government crackdowns and public hostility.
