Hidden hands’ allowing gay movies to be screened, claims NGO
Predeep Nambiar | July 11, 2017
FMT
Home ministry officials pay 'visit' to penangpac over attempt to screen gay-themed movie and issue stern warning to the arts theatre.
VIDEO INSIDE
GEORGE TOWN: A group of about 20 people gathered outside an arts theatre here to protest its earlier planned screening of a gay movie.
They almost returned home due to the small turnout.
However, their spirits shot up when they saw a group of four officers from the home ministry rushing into the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac) at the Straits Quay Mall here this evening.
The protesters, from local Malay and Muslim-interest groups, condemned the earlier planned screening of the film despite penangpac’s move to cancel it.
NGOs Jaringan Muslimin Pulau Pinang and Gabungan Perwakilan Melayu Pulau Pinang said any screening of movies with a gay theme would be disrespectful to Islam, as the official religion of Malaysia, and the moral values of the country.
They said the fact that the theatre group had daringly attempted to screen the movie and even publicised it on social media could not be forgiven and showed its insensitivity to people’s views.
penangpac had already rolled down its shutters in anticipation of the protest and after home ministry officers walked in.
It came under fire for trying to screen “Hot Boy Noi Loan va Cau Chuyen ve Thang Cuoi” (Lost in Paradise), a Vietnamese movie about two male homosexuals.
It was part of penangpac’s “World’s Best Movies” campaign.
Jaringan Muslimin Pulau Pinang chairman Mohd Hafiz Nordin said penangpac had clearly crossed the line by attempting to screen the gay film.
He said most Malaysians knew it was illegal to do so.
“We also see some ‘parties’ who want to normalise the gay culture to make it acceptable in Malaysia.
“In Penang, a transgender committee was established a few years ago. We do not know why there is such a committee.
“We don’t know the sinister motive behind having such a committee.
“This, Lim Guan Eng has to answer lah. Maybe he is ‘ketua gay’ or what, I do not know lah. But wait, I am just joking. But if you news portals want to use the story to spin, that is up to you.
“We say something right, these news outlets pusing (spin). Whatever it is, we are answerable to Allah in the end,” Hafiz said.
Hafiz said the screening could be seen as an affront to the king and the Federal Constitution, which says Islam is the official religion of the federation.
He said being gay is wrong in Islam, and that penangpac, by trying to screen a gay movie, was acting against Islam and hence against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as he is the head of Islam in the country.
“We want to ask on the need for a 2011 film being shown today. Why not new movies? What is penangpac’s motive, really?
“If you are a Malaysian, you will not dare to bring such a film to the country.
“I am sure the government would not allow films with sex ‘luar tabii’ (against nature). Sex ‘ikut tabii’ also cannot,” Hafiz said.
Gabungan Perwakilan Melayu Pulau Pinang president Mohd Rizuad Mohd Azudin said despite the cancellation of the movie’s screening, the NGO had come to penangpac to register its protest as a matter of principle.
“We have to protest early before the situation becomes worse. We have to nip it in the bud before they say it is OK to be gay.
“This should not happen in Malaysia, an Islamic country.”
Rizuad said hidden hands could have allowed penangpac to freely do what it liked, despite knowing it is illegal.
“I feel the hidden hands have come from the Penang government. Heading these efforts are Guan Eng, right?” he said with a laugh.
Meanwhile, Penang home ministry assistant enforcement officer Muhd Khairuddin Yusof said penangpac had been told not to show movies without approval from the ministry or action would be taken against it.
“They admitted that the movie had gay elements and it did not get the ministry’s approval. They told us it got an award in 2010 and it was selected by a committee here.
“We told them not to show the movie at all, or else action will be taken. There is no approval from the ministry.
“They claimed they do not know the procedures,” he said when asked about penangpac’s explanation to the ministry officers.
Home ministry officials pay 'visit' to penangpac over attempt to screen gay-themed movie and issue stern warning to the arts theatre.
VIDEO INSIDE
GEORGE TOWN: A group of about 20 people gathered outside an arts theatre here to protest its earlier planned screening of a gay movie.They almost returned home due to the small turnout.
However, their spirits shot up when they saw a group of four officers from the home ministry rushing into the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac) at the Straits Quay Mall here this evening.
The protesters, from local Malay and Muslim-interest groups, condemned the earlier planned screening of the film despite penangpac’s move to cancel it.
NGOs Jaringan Muslimin Pulau Pinang and Gabungan Perwakilan Melayu Pulau Pinang said any screening of movies with a gay theme would be disrespectful to Islam, as the official religion of Malaysia, and the moral values of the country.
They said the fact that the theatre group had daringly attempted to screen the movie and even publicised it on social media could not be forgiven and showed its insensitivity to people’s views.
penangpac had already rolled down its shutters in anticipation of the protest and after home ministry officers walked in.
It came under fire for trying to screen “Hot Boy Noi Loan va Cau Chuyen ve Thang Cuoi” (Lost in Paradise), a Vietnamese movie about two male homosexuals.
It was part of penangpac’s “World’s Best Movies” campaign.
Jaringan Muslimin Pulau Pinang chairman Mohd Hafiz Nordin said penangpac had clearly crossed the line by attempting to screen the gay film.
He said most Malaysians knew it was illegal to do so.
“We also see some ‘parties’ who want to normalise the gay culture to make it acceptable in Malaysia.
“In Penang, a transgender committee was established a few years ago. We do not know why there is such a committee.
“We don’t know the sinister motive behind having such a committee.
“This, Lim Guan Eng has to answer lah. Maybe he is ‘ketua gay’ or what, I do not know lah. But wait, I am just joking. But if you news portals want to use the story to spin, that is up to you.
“We say something right, these news outlets pusing (spin). Whatever it is, we are answerable to Allah in the end,” Hafiz said.
Hafiz said the screening could be seen as an affront to the king and the Federal Constitution, which says Islam is the official religion of the federation.
He said being gay is wrong in Islam, and that penangpac, by trying to screen a gay movie, was acting against Islam and hence against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as he is the head of Islam in the country.
“We want to ask on the need for a 2011 film being shown today. Why not new movies? What is penangpac’s motive, really?
“If you are a Malaysian, you will not dare to bring such a film to the country.
“I am sure the government would not allow films with sex ‘luar tabii’ (against nature). Sex ‘ikut tabii’ also cannot,” Hafiz said.
Gabungan Perwakilan Melayu Pulau Pinang president Mohd Rizuad Mohd Azudin said despite the cancellation of the movie’s screening, the NGO had come to penangpac to register its protest as a matter of principle.
“We have to protest early before the situation becomes worse. We have to nip it in the bud before they say it is OK to be gay.
“This should not happen in Malaysia, an Islamic country.”
Rizuad said hidden hands could have allowed penangpac to freely do what it liked, despite knowing it is illegal.
“I feel the hidden hands have come from the Penang government. Heading these efforts are Guan Eng, right?” he said with a laugh.
Meanwhile, Penang home ministry assistant enforcement officer Muhd Khairuddin Yusof said penangpac had been told not to show movies without approval from the ministry or action would be taken against it.
“They admitted that the movie had gay elements and it did not get the ministry’s approval. They told us it got an award in 2010 and it was selected by a committee here.
“We told them not to show the movie at all, or else action will be taken. There is no approval from the ministry.
“They claimed they do not know the procedures,” he said when asked about penangpac’s explanation to the ministry officers.
