SUGARBOOK founder and chief executive officer Darren Chan has defended his dating app, calling it a tool to empower women by giving them a dating platform.

He also said that it was unfair to call for the app to be banned in Malaysia. 

The dating app has courted controversy after its advertisements were carried in electronic billboards in Bangsar and Bukit Kiara, two popular upmarket enclaves in the city. It is understood that the advertisements began airing on December 3. 

The ads caused a stir on social media, with people questioning the appropriateness of such services in Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall last night instructed the ads to be taken down.

“In light of the public’s concern over our billboard, we hope you understand that we built Sugarbook to empower women by giving them a dating platform to choose freely what they want in an ideal relationship, without being scrutinised. 

“Women empowerment is about elevating women by increasing the capacity for them to be able to choose freely. 

“The keyword here is ‘choice’ and Sugarbook is about providing our people that precise choice,” said Chan in a Facebook posting.

Sugarbook was developed by a Malaysian-based company that aims to pair affluent men and women – termed as “sugar daddies or mommies” – with “sugar babies”. 

The app’s website said “sugar daddies” are well-established, wealthy men who wish to pamper “sugar babies” with financial support in return for love and companionship. 

The company was started in December 2016 and has since expanded to Singapore and the Philippines. 

Earlier today, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil told The Malaysian Insight the website and its advertisement were unsuitable in Malaysia and went against most norms. 

“I don’t think the website sits well with our Eastern values,” said Fahmi. 

He said although Sugarbook is a legitimate business, it needs to understand the context, culture and religious sensitivities in the country.

Chan said “sugar babies”are not illegal sex workers. 

“They do not trade their bodies for monetary value. They are real people from all walks of life, e.g. struggling single mothers, housewives, widows, and divorcees.

“While we believe the public’s intentions are good, it would be unjust to have us banned. 

“Ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the freedoms and liberty of the Malaysian people,” he added. – December 18, 2019.