Pakatan needs to safeguard rural voters' feelings, too, says Amanah leader

Looi Sue-Chern Looi Sue-Chern Updated 7 years ago · Published on 9 Aug 2018 2:23PM · 12 Comments

Penang Amanah Youth chief Saifullah Abdul Nasir (right) in George Town today defending the removal of the photographs of two LGBT activists from a George Town Festival exhibition. – The Malaysian Insight pic, August 9, 2018.

DESPITE being a “new Malaysia”, Pakatan Harapan still has to take into consideration rural voters’ feelings, a Penang Amanah Youth leader said.

State Youth chief Saifullah Abdul Nasir said this in defence of the federal government’s order to remove photographs of two LGBT activists from a George Town Festival exhibition.

The two photographs of the activists posing with the Jalur Gemilang were removed on Tuesday following complaints on Monday.

The episode has led to an outcry by civil society leaders and the public, with minister in charge of Islamic affairs Mujahid Yusof Rawa bearing much of the brunt of the anger.

Saifullah said while Pakatan parties received most of their support in urban and suburban areas, the 14th general election saw the coalition gain many seats in the Malay heartland as well.

“We appreciate what civil society has done for a new Malaysia, but people in rural areas also made contributions this time.

“Rural folk care more about culture and religion. We have to consider their sensitivities as well,” he said in George Town today.

Saifullah also said PH’s election manifesto made no promises to recognise the LGBT community, even if its members had been allies that fought alongside it to battle other causes.

He also said PH was not against the LBGT community and respected their rights.

“We don’t deny they exist existence. We don’t discriminate against them (by withholding) their rights.”

He also said there was no issue with the LGBT lifestyle, as long it remained in the private sphere.

“But if they promote the lifestyle openly, they will cause uneasiness among a majority of the people, not just Muslims,” he said, adding the LBGT lifestyle went against not only Islamic values but the values of other faiths and Eastern cultures.

Saifullah also encouraged those not involved with the LGBT community to air their views as well.

“Others also have the right to speak their minds on this issue.” 

Penang state secretary Farizan Darus it had also received complaints from the public and Prime Minister’s Departmenton the photographs. – August 9, 2018.

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Comments

  • Pakatan needs to show leadership and educate the rural voters on human rights. Leadership is about doing what is right, and not pandering to narrow minded people.

    Posted 7 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

  • All you Pakatan Hypocrites should learn to quit while youre behind and stop dishing out shit excuses to cover up your own lack of guts and conviction to do the right thing! Concern for rural sensitivities?! Really?! How many rural folk has visited the George Town exhibition, give me the numbers now. And the materials in question were just portraits of two people holding up the Malaysia flag and a rainbow flag...it was not a full blown Gay Pride parade, nor were they lewd photos of two men making out. So honestly, STFU if you cant do the right thing and stop defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

  • All you Pakatan Hypocrites should learn to quit while youre behind and stop dishing out shit excuses to cover up your own lack of guts and conviction to do the right thing! Concern for rural sensitivities?! Really?! How many rural folk has visited the George Town exhibition, give me the numbers now. And the materials in question were just portraits of two people holding up the Malaysia flag and a rainbow flag...it was not a full blown Gay Pride parade, nor were they lewd photos of two men making out. So honestly, STFU if you cant do the right thing and stop defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

  • All you Pakatan Hypocrites should learn to quit while youre behind and stop dishing out shit excuses to cover up your own lack of guts and conviction to do the right thing! Concern for rural sensitivities?! Really?! How many rural folk has visited the George Town exhibition, give me the numbers now. And the materials in question were just portraits of two people holding up the Malaysia flag and a rainbow flag...it was not a full blown Gay Pride parade, nor were they lewd photos of two men making out. So honestly, STFU if you cant do the right thing and stop defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

  • All you Pakatan Hypocrites should learn to quit while youre behind and stop dishing out shit excuses to cover up your own lack of guts and conviction to do the right thing! Concern for rural sensitivities?! Really?! How many rural folk has visited the George Town exhibition, give me the numbers now. And the materials in question were just portraits of two people holding up the Malaysia flag and a rainbow flag...it was not a full blown Gay Pride parade, nor were they lewd photos of two men making out. So honestly, STFU if you cant do the right thing and stop defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

  • All you Pakatan Hypocrites should learn to quit while youre behind and stop dishing out shit excuses to cover up your own lack of guts and conviction to do the right thing! Concern for rural sensitivities?! Really?! How many rural folk has visited the George Town exhibition, give me the numbers now. And the materials in question were just portraits of two people holding up the Malaysia flag and a rainbow flag...it was not a full blown Gay Pride parade, nor were they lewd photos of two men making out. So honestly, STFU if you cant do the right thing and stop defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

  • All you Pakatan Hypocrites should learn to quit while youre behind and stop dishing out shit excuses to cover up your own lack of guts and conviction to do the right thing! Concern for rural sensitivities?! Really?! How many rural folk has visited the George Town exhibition, give me the numbers now. And the materials in question were just portraits of two people holding up the Malaysia flag and a rainbow flag...it was not a full blown Gay Pride parade, nor were they lewd photos of two men making out. So honestly, STFU if you cant do the right thing and stop defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

  • All you Pakatan Hypocrites should learn to quit while youre behind and stop dishing out shit excuses to cover up your own lack of guts and conviction to do the right thing! Concern for rural sensitivities?! Really?! How many rural folk has visited the George Town exhibition, give me the numbers now. And the materials in question were just portraits of two people holding up the Malaysia flag and a rainbow flag...it was not a full blown Gay Pride parade, nor were they lewd photos of two men making out. So honestly, STFU if you cant do the right thing and stop defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

  • All you Pakatan Hypocrites should learn to quit while youre behind and stop dishing out shit excuses to cover up your own lack of guts and conviction to do the right thing! Concern for rural sensitivities?! Really?! How many rural folk has visited the George Town exhibition, give me the numbers now. And the materials in question were just portraits of two people holding up the Malaysia flag and a rainbow flag...it was not a full blown Gay Pride parade, nor were they lewd photos of two men making out. So honestly, STFU if you cant do the right thing and stop defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

  • All you Pakatan Hypocrites should learn to quit while youre behind and stop dishing out shit excuses to cover up your own lack of guts and conviction to do the right thing! Concern for rural sensitivities?! Really?! How many rural folk has visited the George Town exhibition, give me the numbers now. And the materials in question were just portraits of two people holding up the Malaysia flag and a rainbow flag...it was not a full blown Gay Pride parade, nor were they lewd photos of two men making out. So honestly, STFU if you cant do the right thing and stop defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mahsuri Smiles · Reply

    • Wow!!! you are sure burning with rage as your piece are repeated all over. Anyway it is just an excuse by PH in the guise of concerns for the rural folks. I doubt if the rural folks were to look at the picture , they will not even realise who are they in the picture. It is pure bull shit and seen at a many times , when the calling of religion comes the Muslim Youth will discard all rationale and indepth understanding of their religion and jump to unreasonable actions. Sad that PH is being as Umno in their hypocritical ways.

      Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • We need openness in new government otherwise might as well stick to BN. We chose PH for better value and principles and not following old thinking....hope Tun M steps in and make it a wrong to right.

    Posted 7 years ago by Wee Tuan Hock · Reply