The organisers of the “Glamping with Pride” retreat in Hulu Langat have cancelled the two-day event scheduled for this weekend, citing safety concerns.
Jejaka, a pro-LGBTQ advocacy group, said the venue owner withdrew the booking due to potential risks after the organisers received explicit threats, including death threats, via social media. The NGO confirmed that these threats have been documented and a police report will be filed.
“The cancellation is not due to legal issues but because an environment was created in which reckless rhetoric, misinformation, and fear-mongering made it unsafe for people to gather,” Jejaka said in a statement. “Irresponsible words carry consequences, and in this case, those consequences place lives at risk.”
The retreat, originally promoted as a private community gathering focusing on health, well-being, and HIV awareness, faced backlash after a poster circulated online. Since then, police have received at least five reports regarding the event’s advertisement. The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, also issued a firm directive opposing any “immoral activities” or celebrations linked to the LGBTQ lifestyle in the state.
Jejaka said the cancellation deprived approximately 50 participants—up from the 14 initially registered—of a safe opportunity to engage in community activities aimed at reducing health-related stigma.
The NGO also criticised authorities, institutions, and public figures for failing to de-escalate tensions or reaffirm protections for minority groups. “Silence or ambiguity in the face of threats normalises intimidation,” it added.
“While this programme has been cancelled on safety grounds, we have not retreated from our values, principles, or responsibility. This decision was made to protect lives, not to concede legitimacy to fear, intimidation, or hate,” Jejaka said, emphasizing that its work will continue in safe and responsible forms.
