[UPDATED] Club pours cold water on Thai Hot Guys, cancels event

KUALA LUMPUR – Local establishment Privacy Club Tun Razak has cancelled its opening launch on March 30 which was to feature scantily clad muscular male performers from Thailand, following backlash from various quarters. 

The club took to its Facebook page to share an official clarification, where it stated that it respects the nation’s religious sensitivities and promised to not violate set laws.

As such, it said it would cancel its launch event featuring the performers known as “Thai Hot Guys.” 

“We once again apologise for any inconvenience caused. On the grounds of respecting racial and religious sensitivities, the programme has been cancelled,” its statement said. 

It added that online dissemination of advertisements for the event had been done without the club’s consent.

Meanwhile, Wangsa Maju district police chief Ashari Abu Samah said the club cancelled its launch event on the cops’ orders, after police visited the premises this afternoon and issued a warning.

Ashari said that police will monitor the club to ensure it complies with the cancellation.

He added that 60 police reports had been lodged against the event as of this afternoon.

Earlier today, it was reported that Privacy Club Tun Razak planned for a show featuring “Thai Hot Guys” as the main attraction for its opening next week, with buff male performers expected to entertain guests while wearing lingerie and skimpy waitress outfits.

Online publicity of the event drew outcry from PAS and Umno figures, who slammed the programme as promoting hedonism, promiscuity and immoral behaviour.

Earlier today, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming drew a link between the event and LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders) people when asked by reporters if Putrajaya would be taking action against the event’s organisers.

Nga said that the government “does not support LGBT” and warned those who go against government policies of legal repercussions.

“This is the government’s policy (on LGBT). I hope that this is not made into an issue,” he told a press conference today.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that shows deemed insensitive and indecent should not take place, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

The club could face action for not having an entertainment license, and also for operating on an expired restaurant licence, the prime minister’s political secretary Azman Abidin said earlier today.

Meanwhile, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib said the club had smeared the good name of his late grandfather, former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak.

“Using my grandfather’s name as promotional material is very embarrassing for my family. It is very inappropriate and I see it as an insult to (Abdul Razak) himself,” he said in a Facebook post. – The Vibes, March 22, 2023