HEALTH Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has clarified that a recent gathering in Kelantan, raided by police and alleged to be a “gay party”, was in fact a HIV awareness and public health programme.
Taking to platform X on Monday, the Kuala Selangor MP said the event, organised by the NGO Persatuan Pengantara Pesakit Kelantan (Sahabat) under the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, aimed to raise awareness among high-risk groups, including men who have sex with men (MSM) and injecting drug users.
“This was not a gay party, but a health awareness initiative,” Dr Dzulkefly wrote, in response to a post urging him to defend the event.
He shared a statement by Kelantan State Health Director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin, who said the event formed part of the ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Kelantan Health Department (JKN), and health-based non-governmental organisations.
“Cooperation between the Ministry of Health, the state health department and NGOs is crucial in reaching high-risk populations with accurate information about prevention strategies, early diagnosis, and the benefits of timely treatment to avoid serious complications,” said Dr Zaini.
He added that public education plays a vital role in protecting not only individuals but also their spouses and children who may be at risk of HIV infection.
Dr Dzulkefly also reaffirmed MOH’s commitment to public health strategies that emphasise disease prevention, early intervention, and accessible treatment for all, in accordance with national health policy that respects religious and cultural sensitivities.
“As a health NGO, Sahabat is a strategic partner of the Kelantan Health Department in delivering health education and outreach programmes to key populations,” he noted.
The clarification follows a statement by Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat, who said a raid had been carried out in mid-June at a bungalow in Kemumin, Kota Bharu, based on public tip-offs and surveillance. The gathering, which involved over 100 men aged between 20 and 30, was initially described as a “gay party”.
Several NGOs have since rejected that characterisation, stating that the event was designed to provide accurate information on sexual health and HIV prevention, particularly among communities often marginalised or underserved in conventional healthcare systems. - July 22, 2025
