Kota bharu: The Kelantan government has shown openness to engage in discussions with the police and the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) concerning the recent organisation of a programme related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities in Kota Bharu. This dialogue aims to clarify the event's organisation and address any misunderstandings or allegations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan emphasized the importance of investigating the situation to ensure that any potential errors or misinterpretations are properly addressed. "Perhaps the mistake made was not the organiser's fault. That's why it needs to be investigated first, so that the police are not wrongfully blamed by the public. The police have their job, and on the other side, MAC also has its responsibilities," he stated at a press conference following the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session at the Kota Darulnaim Complex.

Dr Mohamed Fadzli further stressed that any programme that contradicts the state government's policies and the customs of Kelantanese people is unacceptable. He highlighted the necessity for obtaining permission from relevant authorities, such as the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAHEIK) and the police, especially for events touching on sensitive issues within village communities.

The Deputy Menteri Besar also indicated that the state government is prepared to take appropriate action against events found to violate state regulations. This follows a mid-June incident where Kelantan police raided an LGBT-related event attended by over 20 local men at a bungalow in Jalan Kemumin.

State police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat reported that the raid was based on public tip-offs and intelligence from a special task force after receiving complaints about the event. The police found hundreds of condoms and several boxes of HIV medication in a room believed to be used by the organisers.

The Malaysian AIDS Council clarified in a media statement that it had organised an outreach session on June 17 in Kemumin aimed at engaging with high-risk communities as part of HIV prevention efforts. The programme, conducted from 8 pm to 2 am, was part of a Ministry of Health initiative to provide inclusive and community-centred HIV services.