The Home Ministry has purportedly slapped a Chinese newspaper with a warning letter for publishing an interview with LGBTQ activist Chong Yee Shan.
Malaysiakini had sighted a copy of the letter, dated Sept 21, to Oriental Daily News and sources familiar with the matter had confirmed its authenticity.
Oriental Daily's editor-in-chief Puah You Lai has remained tightlipped on the matter while Malaysiakini's repeated attempts to obtain comments from the ministry proved futile.
Ministry officials passed Malaysiakini's phone calls over the past few days back and forth between the enforcement and control division, and the corporate communication division.
The two-page article, published on Sept 18 in the lifestyle section, was titled "Chong Yee Shan supports the LGBTQ community by raising their awareness on legal rights".
In the letter sighted by Malaysiakini, the daily was cautioned for publishing an article which promoted the "subversive culture" of homosexuality.
The letter said this violated the ministry's guidelines under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA).
Furthermore, it stated that the newspaper is prohibited from "promoting a hedonistic lifestyle which is contrary to religious teachings and a civilised society".
"Therefore, Oriental Daily is being reprimanded in order to prevent similar content being published in the future and to ensure it adheres to the terms and guidelines for publishing," it read.
Activist: Nothing has changed
At the time of writing, Deputy Home Minister Aziz Jamman has yet to respond to Malaysiakini's numerous phone calls and messages regarding the matter while his aide told the news portal to check with the ministry's officials.
Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is currently on leave due to health reasons.
Meanwhile, Chong regretted the issuance of the warning letter, saying that it went against freedom of expression.
She was also disappointed that nothing has changed with Pakatan Harapan coming into power with regard to the plight of the LGBTQ community.
"I thought there would be changes. But, when it comes to the LGBTQ issue... nothing is different from the BN era.
"I am furious. I am concerned that it would result in the media to practice self-censorship," the activist told Malaysiakini.
Prior to the 14th general election, Harapan pledged to repeal several laws which were deemed oppressive and this included the PPPA.
In the last parliament sitting, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong stated in that the government was studying whether to repeal, amend or replace the PPPA. - Mkini
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