Immigration Dept to deny entry participants, organiser of gay festival - DG

The Immigration Department will cooperate with other enforcement agencies to detect and ensure that any individual or organiser behind the gay festival which is planned to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 30, do not enter the country.

Its director-general, Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said the individuals would be served the Not To Land (NTL) Notice under Section 8 of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 should they attempt to enter Malaysia.

He said the department would not compromise with any quarter who tried to to introduce activities which are unhealthy, immoral and threaten public safety, security and sovereignty.

"The department will firmly deny the individuals or organiser from entering the country to join the gay festival. The stern action is taken in line with the order by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi," he said in a statement here today.

According to Mustafar, 46,551 individuals were denied entry into Malaysia from Jan 1 until June 30 for various Immigration offences.

Yesterday, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said that the government would not allow any kind of such an event or gay party which was supposed to be held next weekend.

He also said although the organiser had yet to apply for a permit for the event, he had instructed the police not to approve the gathering.

An online news portal reported that a gay event would be held in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 30 to promote "White Party Bangkok", the biggest annual gay music festival in Asia, scheduled for Dec 28 in Thailand.

-- BERNAMA