22nd March 2023 – (Kuala Lumpur) The grand opening of a club in Kuala Lumpur that was set to feature male waiters from Thailand dressed in female outfits has been cancelled. The event called “Thai Hot Guy” was scheduled to take place on 30th March as part of Privacy Club Tun Razak’s grand opening.
The cancellation followed a stern warning from the authorities, including Wangsa Maju police chief Ashari Abu Samah, who received 60 reports against the event after a video surfaced on social media.
In response, the organisers and management agreed to cancel the event, and no event or programme will be held such as that being spread online. The “Thai Hot Guy” group is famous on social media and has gone viral online for dancing while dressed in women’s clothes.
Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan criticised the event for allegedly promoting “hedonistic culture, pornography, and casual sex”. In his statement, he urged the authorities to reconsider the granting of permission for the event as it is “outrageous, insensitive, immoral and even disgusting.”
PAS is upset and strongly objects to the official opening event of a bar as it is “contrary to local values and insensitive to the position of Islam as a federal religion, not to mention held in the month of Ramadan.”
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Wednesday said that events such as “Thai Hot Guy” should not go on as it could cause anxiety especially among Muslims who will be observing Ramadan, reported The Star.
Mr Saifuddin added that there must be mutual respect among Malaysians especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is observed by Muslims in the country and lasts for a month. It is expected to begin on March 23.
Following Mr Takiyuddin’s criticism, the Political Secretary to the Prime Minister Azman Abidin said that the premises of the club only has a restaurant licence and that it had expired more than two years ago.
According to Mr Azman, the premise hosting the event known as “Thai Hot Guy” lacks an entertainment license and did not make an application for one to conduct entertainment activities. Additionally, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is currently scrutinizing the situation and will enforce necessary action in case of any violations of rules and conditions by the organizers.
The Home Minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, stated on Wednesday that events such as “Thai Hot Guy” should not be permitted as it may cause anxiety, particularly among Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan, reported The Star. Mr Saifuddin emphasized the importance of mutual respect among Malaysians, especially during Ramadan, which is observed by Muslims in the country and lasts for a month. The month-long observation is expected to commence on March 23.
Just two weeks ago, a PAS lawmaker urged the Malaysian government to regulate the growing number of concerts and performances held by foreign artistes in the country after a concert by Korean girl group, Blackpink, drew over 60,000 fans. Padang Terap Member of Parliament, Nurul Amin Hamid, remarked that such concerts had caused some unease among Muslims in the country.
Last year, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, the chief of PAS youth wing, criticized foreign concerts for promoting “hedonism” after a concert by American singer-songwriter, Billie Eilish, was held, according to Free Malaysia Today.
