LABUAN: Islamic party PAS here is objecting to a planned performance by popular Singapore stand-up comedian fondly called “Kumar” on grounds that it is not appropriate since he is a transgender.
This is despite Kumaran Chinnadurai having performed worldwide and in Sabah and elsewhere in the peninsula previously.
His show at the Financial Park Convention Hall on May 20 is part of a global tour that includes Las Vegas.
PAS through its newsletter “harakah daily’ objected to the show saying “the presentation by a transgender celebrity is of no benefit to the community and promotion of LGBTQ” and called for the event to be cancelled.
PAS said it would support activities that benefit the economy or contribute to good values. It said government agencies here should seek the advice of the local Mufti office before holding programmes and to respect the sensitivities of Muslims.
Kumar’s comedy sketches are also popular with Muslims, as evidenced by turnouts in other cities in the peninsula. He acquired a reputation of being front on stage in a career spanning 30 years.
Netizens criticised the PAS action saying they need not attend if they disprove of his jokes. They feel such shows are well suited for Labuan being an International financial centre as well as an oil and gas hub.
This is not the first time PAS had objected to a social event on the island. Before the Covid 19 pandemic the Big beer festival “Oktoberfest” was also protested by PAS chief Haji Hamir Zahari even though not for Muslims.
Despite the PAS objections, “Oktoberfest” was held without problems drawing a sizeable number of tourists from other States.
