POLICE will summon the organisers of the International Women’s Day march in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, which was attended by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said investigation papers on the gathering, which was not issued a permit by police, have been opened, and the parties involved will be called in to have their statements recorded.

“Those who wish to organise a gathering should inform the district police chief. Failing to do so is an offence under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. As far as I know, no permit was issued for the rally on Saturday.

“People must understand that when they gather in a big group, it can cause disruption and traffic congestion. Assembly organisers must abide by the law,” he told reporters in Alor Star today.

He said after police’s probe is completed, the matter will be handed over to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.

“We will identify and call them (organisers) in. Yes, there were reports lodged on the LGBT procession during the rally, but I am not certain how many.”

The gathering, which saw the involvement of civil groups, including the Women’s Aid Organisation and Sisters in Islam, has been criticised for being pro-LGBT.

Meanwhile, GPW coordinator Yuva Balan said the organiser of the march has been called in by police to give a statement.

The organiser was ordered to go to the Dang Wangi police station next Monday, he said.

“Though only one of us has been asked to go, we will all go to show support for the organiser,” Yuva told The Malaysian Insight today.

The march on Saturday was to demand for gender equality and an end to violence against women. 

Some people who objected to the participation of the LGBT community in the march filed police reports.

Earlier today Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the International Women’s Day march did not have a permit.

He said the government strongly objected to the organisation of an assembly without a permit, which was in violation of the law for peaceful assembly.

“Police have conducted investigations and found there was no permit issued for the assembly. Parties wishing to hold an assembly must abide by the law.

“However, I was informed they were gathered without a permit and thereby breaking the law, so I am leaving the matter to police,” he said at the Parliament lobby.

The event also irked de facto Islamic Affairs Minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who said it was an abuse of democracy to bring up issues pertaining to the LGBT community at the march.

“I was very shocked by the actions of some quarters today who abused a democratic space to defend something that is wrong according to Islam.  

“As I have said before, the government is firm that LGBT practices will never be accepted in this country. It is impossible for us to acknowledge something illegal,” Mujahid said in a Facebook post. – March 11, 2019.