The Malaysian Bar building at Leboh Pasar, has been splashed with red paint at the front entrance to the building, in what the Bar describes as vandalism related to Seksualiti Merdeka.

Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee said the incident took place very early today, between 1am and 1.30am.

NONE “I confirm that there was an irresponsible and cowardly act of vandalism committed on the building of the Malaysian Bar, around 1 to 1.30am today, where red paint was splashed on the front entrance,” Lim said.

“We have information this act of vandalism is connected to the Seksualiti Merdeka series of events. Such a reaction to the events is deplorable and must be condemned. Instead, those who hold a different view should engage in discussion and dialogue,” he emphasised.

The paint was subsequently removed from the affected floor and wall ( right ).

Lim also welcomed the reaction of PAS Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, who said although she does not support the events, the authorities should engage the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender community.

Siti Mariah also said she would have liked to attend the event to hear their plight, and that there should be non-violent engagement.

Yesterday, the MCA headquarters in Jalan Ampang was also splashed with red paint in another act of vandalism.

Bar slams banning of event

Earlier, the Bar Council slammed the police for banning all Seksualiti Merdeka festival programmes, accusing the force of training its guns on the wrong parties.

NONE Its deputy chairperson Christopher Leong said the reason police gave for banning the festival - public order - meant that there would be people attempting to disrupt those programmes.

In this case, therefore, the police must act against those who threaten to cause the disorder.

"We should not permit unruly mobs to cause trouble and have the police unwittingly support them by banning peaceful activities.

"It would be a sad day for our country and democracy if this happens," Leong said in a press statement yesterday.

The police, he added, should instead deploy their resources to protect the rights of peaceful people and ensure that Seksualiti Merdeka events take place peacefully and without interference.

Seksualiti Merdeka is an annual festival celebrating the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity and is backed by several NGOs, including the Bar Council, Suaram and Amnesty International.

Leong reiterated that the festival merely showcased talks, workshops, book launches, art exhibitions and stage performances and had been held without incident in previous years.

"The parties concerned have the constitutional right to do so, and it is the duty of the police to protect and facilitate this right."

He also questioned the police statement that homosexuality was a crime, pointing out that the closest to this was Section 377B of the Penal Code.

"This is a provision that makes sodomy a crime and thus applies to heterosexuality as well."

‘Muslims should exercise compassion’

Meanwhile, Sisters in Islam (SIS) in a statement yesterday also condemned the ban, describing it as another pattern of censorship and banning of the freedom of expression, association and the free circulation of ideas.

NONE SIS said while many Muslims were opposed to the idea of respecting gender and sexual diversity, it opposed the method used to stifle these ideas.

"We call on fellow Muslims to exercise compassion and wisdom in dealing with the issues brought up by Seksualiti Merdeka.

"We also call on the authorities to ensure the safety and security of all those involved in this, especially Seksualiti Merdeka's organisers, volunteers supporters," SIS said.

‘All deserve freedom from discrimination’

Parti Sosialis Malayia (PSM) in a statement this morning accused the police of political motivation in banning the festival.

“PSM believes that the action by the police is politically motivated, since Ambiga Sreenevasan, the leader of Bersih 2.0, was to do the opening,” said its secretary-general S Arutchelvan.

Just because a majority of the people do not believe in the lifestyle and value system of the sexual minority, Arutchelvan said, it does not allow them to violate the rights of the minorities.

“All human beings deserve to be free from discrimination, harassment and violence, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

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