3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Pas information chief praises police action against gay gathering in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has described the recent police raid on a secret gathering of gay men as a necessary and commendable move, despite the embarrassment it caused for the state often referred to as the "Corridor of Mecca".
He praised the Kelantan police for taking firm action, saying such enforcement efforts should be supported and continued until "this deviant culture is eradicated from Kelantan".
"This effort must be sustained until the root of this behaviour is completely removed. The Kelantan government should also be given more space to introduce stricter laws to curb such behaviour, without any hindrance," he said in his Facebook posting.
Citing a 2021 Federal Court decision to cancel a Kelantan syariah provision criminalising men who dress as women, on grounds that it overlaps with federal law, Ahmad Fadhli urged a review of available legal avenues to strengthen enforcement, while remaining within the framework of the Federal Constitution.
"The incident is indeed shameful, especially since it happened in Kelantan, a state synonymous with Islamic values. But beyond that shame is the need for courage to confront immoral acts. Medicine is bitter, but when the disease persists, we must force ourselves to swallow it," he added.
