ABIM PROPOSES GOVERNMENT CREATES GUIDELINES FOR SENSITIVE COMMUNITY EVENTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) proposes the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to draft national guidelines for organising community events involving sensitive issues, including branding aspects, programme content, transparency of registered associations' mandates, and compliance with public values and interests.

Its president, Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said this move is important to strengthen the country's governance and avoid public confusion and anxiety following the organisation of community programmes that use sensitive approaches or branding.

He said this proposal includes clearer regulatory requirements for closed, overnight programmes, and those themed around health or social issues that could potentially have moral and social harmony implications.

“This move is not aimed at restricting civic space or punishing any party, but rather as a preventive and prudent governance approach to ensure that public health issues are not misused as a gateway to identity advocacy or the normalisation of values that contradict the foundations of society and the country's Constitution," he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Fahmi said in the context of Malaysia's multicultural society, public health awareness approaches should take into account sociocultural realities, religious norms, and existing legal frameworks so that the message delivered remains focused on public well-being.

Previously, the media reported that the organisers of the “Glamping With Pride” event would proceed despite facing opposition from many parties.

The programme is described as a private, community-based retreat focused on wellbeing, peer support and health awareness.

-- BERNAMA