In recent times, artist Carmen Rose’s vibrant performances as a drag queen have been conspicuously absent from the Malaysian scene. A police raid last year put an abrupt halt to her acts, stirring concerns within the LGBTQ community. This upheaval coincides with the ascension of Islamists in Malaysia’s political landscape, exacerbating anxieties among LGBTQ individuals.
Since the raid, which led to the arrest of several attendees, Carmen Rose’s appearances have dwindled, and she rarely steps out in public adorned in her drag ensemble. The precariousness of venturing out in drag looms large. “It’s always a risk going out in drag. If there was a raid, who do we call? Do we bring our boy clothes just in case?” Rose voiced, highlighting the palpable apprehension. LGBTQ individuals face categorization as “sexual deviants or sinners.”
Despite Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s reputation as a progressive figure, the LGBTQ community and advocacy groups assert that LGBTQ rights have been increasingly under scrutiny and prejudice. This is perplexing given Anwar’s pro-reform image; however, his current role necessitates appealing to the Islamic sentiment prevailing among the majority Muslim populace.
Anwar’s government confronts a potent conservative opposition, including the Islamist party PAS, which staunchly opposes LGBTQ rights. The party’s augmented political sway accentuates the challenges faced by LGBTQ communities. Disturbingly, a PAS representative labelled LGBTQ individuals as “mentally ill,” while another leader targeted Coldplay’s support for queer rights, urging the cancellation of their concert.
Under the backdrop of Malaysia’s dual-track legal system, which blends civil laws with Islamic sharia laws, LGBTQ rights are marginalized. Anwar, who has yet to endorse LGBTQ rights, previously appeared poised for more inclusionary policies. However, disillusionment prevails as the community grapples with active persecution rather than the expected acceptance.
Anwar’s unwavering resistance to LGBTQ rights is suspected to emanate from personal motivations, perhaps to quash lingering questions about his sexuality that surfaced during his imprisonment for sodomy. Online harassment and threats pervade social media for LGBTQ Malaysians, while undercover police presence at LGBTQ-friendly events compounds the sense of surveillance. Amidst such challenges, LGBTQ advocacy group Justice for Sisters asserts that Malaysia’s rejection of queer citizens equates to a violation of human rights.
As discrimination gains momentum, LGBTQ individuals seek refuge abroad, and the community increasingly adopts self-censorship to evade authorities. For individuals like Carmen Rose, who contemplates leaving her homeland, the decision is born out of fatigue and the pursuit of personal well-being, rather than mere escapism.