The legendary drag queen Carmen Rose used to perform frequently in Malaysia, but a police raid last year ended her show and heightened LGBTQ community worries at a time when Islamists are quickly gaining political influence.
Rose has ceased conducting shows since the raid, which saw the arrest of a number of partygoers, and she now seldom ever goes out in costume.
“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?” said Rose, who declined to disclose her non-drag identity due to fears of reprisal. “They see us as sexual deviants or sinners.”
Despite Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s image as a progressive reformer, the LGBTQ community in Malaysia is subject to greater scrutiny and harassment under his administration.
In response to an increasingly popular ultra-conservative opposition that has progressively gained more political clout since the vote, analysts claim Anwar, who into office following a general election in November, is under pressure to strengthen his Islamic credentials among the Muslim majority.
Islamist party PAS, which advocates for a strict application of Sharia law and is opposed to LGBTQ rights, is a part of Malaysia’s opposition coalition. For the first time ever, the party has the most seats in parliament, and its victories in this month’s state elections increased the scope of its political dominance.
Recently, a PAS politician claimed that LGBTQ individuals need to be considered “mentally ill.” A another PAS politician pushed the government to postpone a Coldplay concert because the group is in favour of gay rights.
Malaysia has Islamic sharia laws that forbid cross-dressing and same-sex actions in addition to making sodomy a crime. The country, which is multi-ethnic and multi-religious, has a dual-track legal system with civil laws and Islamic rules for Muslims.
Anwar has never publicly supported the LGBTQ community, but activists say they expected him to be more tolerant given that he spent 25 years in opposition advocating for an equal society.
This year, Anwar stated that Malaysia would never acknowledge LGBTQ rights.
His government has imprisoned protesters who promote gay rights, banned literature for “promoting the LGBT lifestyle,” and seized Swatch watches with Pride-related designs.
Authorities stopped a music festival last month when the lead singer of the British musical group The 1975 kissed a bandmate on stage and denounced Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ policies.
According to some observers, Anwar’s steadfast stance on LGBTQ rights results from his attempt to dispel self-doubts that developed after he was imprisoned for over a decade for sodomy. Despite Anwar’s repeated claims that the accusations were false and politically motivated, some political opponents continue to cast doubt on his commitment to Islam.
In addition, undercover police frequently visit LGBTQ-friendly gatherings, according to activists who claim that online harassment and death threats against queer Malaysians are widespread on social media. In the event of a raid, many organisations now make sure attorneys are present.
Justice for Sisters is receiving more inquiries from LGBTQ Malaysians looking for asylum abroad. They also noted that the community is increasingly using self-censorship to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
Carmen Rose claimed that she cancelled a performance this year out of concern for further enforcement. She currently contemplates leaving Malaysia because she occasionally gives performances in neighbouring Singapore.
“This is not me running away. I’m just tired and I have to also think about myself and my own happiness,” she said.
