PETALING JAYA: The religious affairs ministry has instructed the federal territories Islamic religious department (Jawi) to cooperate with the police in their probe into a women’s rally in front of Sogo and Dataran Merdeka on Sunday.
Religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said Jawi will not compromise with any action that goes against the teachings of Islam and the relevant laws.
He advised all parties to respect and concede to the position of Islam as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“Any efforts to promote or normalise a wayward lifestyle that contradicts Islamic values are unacceptable,” he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, police recorded statements from six participants of Women’s March Malaysia, which took place on Sunday.
Dang Wangi police chief Noor Dellhan Yahaya said an investigation had been initiated into the assembly which involved 150 people, including human rights activists, university students and members of political parties.
Noor Dellhan said the rally did not follow the provisions of the law and that investigations were being carried out under the Peaceful Assembly Act and Minor Offences Act.
During the rally, participants held placards which contained slogans such as “Imagine if men are as disgusted with rapes as with periods”, “Child not bride”, “Transwomen are women”, and “Police your behaviour, not my body”.
PAS’ Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari had called for stern action to be taken over the lesbian, gay and transgender (LGBT) elements at the rally.
He questioned if Putrajaya would introduce harsh laws to stem the apparent rise of pro-LGBT groups, claiming these groups had “hijacked” the women’s rally.
