Perikatan MP walks back claims of LGBT at Women’s March after Speaker demands proof

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 — Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul reprimanded Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Kuantan MP Wan Razali Wan Nor today for his unsubstantiated claim that the Women’s March had been organised by LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) groups.

The Dewan Rakyat Speaker intervened when MPs bickered over the march on Sunday that was also being investigated by the police.

“Everyone, sit. I was listening from the chamber, I just want to ask Kuantan, as you sure the march was of LGBT? Are you sure? Everyone be quiet, I just want to get that comment.

“Are you sure? I want to ask, if you are sure, say (you’re sure; if you’re not sure, say not (sure). Was the March LGBT or women? Just answer that Kuantan, if those who were marching was LGBT and the organisers were LGBT.

“If you say yes, I will check, and if it isn’t LGBT, action will be taken against you,” Johari told the Kuantan MP.

“I’m not sure,” the Kuantan MP replied.

“Not sure, retract. Others, please be quiet, Kuantan, you are not sure, retract, thank you. Continue with the rest of your speech,” Johari said.

The Kuantan MP earlier spoke about the Women’s March Malaysia, claiming it was an LGBT march, and questioned why these were held as though sanctioned.

After Wan Razali backed down, the Speaker told the MPs to move on to the next topic and to leave the investigations to the police.

Held annually since 2017, the Women’s March Malaysia this year outlined nine demands including the protection of “bodily autonomy”, the banning of child marriages, elimination of violence against oppressed genders and sexual minorities, as well as enhanced protection systems and more safe public spaces for oppressed genders.

It also asked for constitutional and legislative reforms for gender equality, equal political participation of oppressed genders at all levels of governance, assurances of decent work standards and living wages, and the declaration of a climate crisis together with an action plan.

On Monday, Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Noor Dellhan Yahaya said that the police had opened an investigation into Women’s March Malaysia under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1995.

Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act states that an organiser must notify the Officer in Charge of the Police District in which the assembly is to be held 10 days ahead.

Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act deals with the offence of using "any indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting words, or behaves in a threatening or insulting manner, or posts up or affixes or exhibits any indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting written paper or drawing with intent to provoke a breach of the peace".

Civil rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has urged the police to review its practice of investigating gatherings that were peaceful even when no reports were lodged.