The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) has slammed PAS Youth’s recent police report against a pro-LGBTQ+ NGO, labelling the action as a “deeply alarming” move akin to launching an attack against all human rights defenders.
JAG, a coalition of 15 women’s rights organisations, took aim at PAS Youth over its Federal Territories chapter’s filing of a police report against Justice for Sisters (JFS), following the latter’s assistance towards men detained during a raid on a wellness centre on Jalan Raja Laut.
“An attack on one human rights defender is an attack on all human rights defenders.
“Attempts to suppress legitimate human rights work infringe upon constitutional freedoms and Malaysia’s obligations under domestic and international human rights law,” JAG affirmed in a statement today.
JAG further said that targeting an NGO for carrying out legitimate work puts Malaysia “at odds” with international norms and democratic principles, and called for an immediate halt to all “harassment, threats, and intimidation” against JFS and all human rights defenders.
“Human rights defenders serve the public interest. Silencing one organisation threatens the rights and safety of all.
“Malaysia must uphold justice, accountability, and constitutional fidelity while rejecting discrimination and intimidation,” it added.
On Dec 2, PAS Youth filed its complaint against JFS at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, denouncing the group’s advocacy work as supporting “disgusting acts”.
In a statement posted on PAS Youth’s Facebook, the wing added that the report was made so that the NGO can be investigated and prohibited from operating.
It also said it will pressure MCMC through Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to block all “gay applications” that exist in Malaysia.
Unconstitutional arrests
JAG, however, argued today that threatening to silence JFS simply for providing legal and psychosocial assistance is “unconstitutional and discriminatory”.
It asserted that the raid breached clear safeguards outlined in the Federal Constitution, namely Article 5(1), which guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty, except in accordance with the law.
The provision, it said, deems arbitrary arrests, humiliating treatment, and detention without lawful grounds unconstitutional.
“Articles 8(1) and 8(2) affirm that all persons are equal before the law and prohibit discrimination by public authorities, making it unlawful to target individuals based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or to penalise organisations providing them with support.
“These protections are reinforced by Article 10(1)(a) and (c), which safeguard freedom of expression and the right to form associations, ensuring that NGOs engaged in human rights work cannot be silenced for carrying out their legitimate functions,” it added.
Humiliating, gross violation of privacy
JAG further urged for a public explanation from the police regarding standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance, the legality of media involvement, and the basis of arrests made at that time.
“Media footage showed men in towels being filmed and publicly identified, a gross violation of privacy and dignity.
“The humiliating questioning of detainees, including requests for simulated sexual sounds, as documented in news reports, points to degrading and improper enforcement practices.
“No democratic society can tolerate enforcement practices that rely on humiliation and fear,” it emphasised.
JAG also called for a full Suhakam investigation into human rights violations associated with the raid and detention process, as well as clear guidelines prohibiting discriminatory and privacy-violating enforcement practices by the police, religious authorities, and local councils.
Cops accused of ‘blatant power abuse’
On Dec 3, Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus insisted that all procedures concerning the raid were conducted in accordance with the law.
His defence came after PSM Youth had accused the authorities of blatant power abuse in detaining the men involved past the 24 hours allowed without obtaining a remand order.
PSM Youth deputy chairperson Aiman Sees also described media participation in the raid as unethical, claiming that the suspects’ identities were leaked due to extensive media coverage.
While Aiman claimed that PSM Youth was informed of brutality during the raid and that the suspects’ basic and legal rights were ignored, Dang Wangi police chief Sazalee Adam has since denied the allegation.
According to news reports, the raid at the Jalan Raja Laut premises followed public tip-offs and a two-week surveillance. The men arrested were between 19 and 60 years old.
Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Azani Omar was quoted as saying that intelligence gathered showed there were “immoral activities” at the premises involving gay men.
Those arrested included 80 Muslims and foreigners from South Korea, Indonesia, Germany, and China, he said.
Fadil had also said that the authorities could not charge any of the detainees, as none of them claimed to be victims of exploitation, prostitution, or unnatural sex. - Mkini
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