A quick read up in the Wikipedia and you will know what Seksualiti Merdeka is by every mean. Here's the link for you lazy bums.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seksualiti_Merdeka
"Seksualiti Merdeka features a programme of talks, forums, workshops, art, theatre and music performances, interactive installations, and film screenings, organised by a coalition of Malaysian NGOs, artists and individuals."
So please excuse me when I ask, how the F*** can someone say Seksualiti Merdeka is equivalent to a "Free sex festival" ?!
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/marina-mahathir-livid-over-free-sex-slur-on-seksualiti-merdeka/
The latter link reveals how national "propaganda" media highlighted Seksualiti Merdeka as. Perhaps, you know, they probably translated Seksualiti Merdeka directly.. I mean, of course, Merdeka in every means mean Free or Freedom if you may but how they hell did the idea Seksualiti Merdeka is an open orgy as described by these propagandas came about really baffles me.
Founded in 2008 by Pang Khee Teik and Jerome Kugan, things have been, in a way, rather smooth-sailing until this year, when news of Datuk Ambiga, Bersih 2.0's chairperson was involved in this year's LGBT's biggest moment in Malaysia. I mean, why now? This is infuriating as any blind men can see, this is a cheap political salvo fired just to garner more political milestone ahead of the General Election in Malaysia which is predicted to be taking place early next year.
With serious backing from the mostly Muslim NGOs and mainly the rabid-mouthpiece chairperson of Perkasa or rather known as the BN's loose canon, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, championing most of the (illegal) demonstrations against the organization and launching of Seksualiti Merdeka, it all seem to conspicuous and sudden to actually see all these rubbish being piled up and flung at the sexual independence programme.
And of course, not fleeing out of the limelight was the ever-resilient Datuk Ambiga Sreenavasan, who, from the mouth of the horse (no offense, it's just an idiom) was quoted saying :
"You (national propaganda media, TV3) have been misleading the public, you have been calling this (Seksualiti Merdeka) a free sex festival. I challenge you to carry everything I say now or I assure you, you will be hearing from my lawyers on this issue,”
Picture from the courtesy of www.themalaysianinsider.comFood for thought. The question here now is, most certainly "Why now?" Are you saying that all these years, since the beginning of Seksualiti Merdeka in 2008 till now, the cops have been unaware of this annual LGBT event? Does this mean that all these while, the police have been sleeping? And more importantly, is this programme doing any harm to anyone?
I think I probably read this from an article in the newspaper (Yes I do read newspaper from time to time!), most probably spoken by Pang himself while being interviewed :
"Talking about HIV will not spread it. Keeping quiet will."
Now, ain't that a quote of the century? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not brushing or polishing up Pang's shoes, but as my friends know better, I do believe in the freedom to live and love as long as it doesn't harm anyone. It's like a religion altogether, only in a different context. (Don't start hating me, it's only an example.) This is as good as saying you can't practise your religion because MY religion thinks it's wrong! Now that's just pure phobia isn't it?
Fishy isn't it? Back when Datuk Marina Mahathir (Daughter of the former Malaysian premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed) was chairing these event, I don't see no problem cropping up, at least, until Bersih 2.0 happened and the chairperson happened to be involved in the organizing of the Seksualiti Merdeka.
Ask thyself, don't you think this is pure payback by the Government to Datuk Ambiga for the successful Bersih 2.0, albeit all these self-praise of them (the Government) being "morally upright and just"? When only will the cries and plight of the silent minority, crushed by pressure created by the majority society's point of view of what is morally right and wrong in these modern times, shall be heard and attended to? We've been living too long in a closed-minded society that inadvertantly, while preaching the words of God, harmed the ones that was borned different.
My hearts to you guys out there, and to the four people detained and quizzed by the police; Datuk Ambiga Sreenavasan, Pang Khee Teik, Irene Fernandez and Maria Chin Abdullah.
We shall remember the name.
