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A recent 'Gender Equality Week' event at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long has stirred controversy after condoms were distributed on campus, prompting an online petition
According to Sin Chew Daily, an online petition has accused the UTAR Sungai Long Student Representative Council (SRC) of "promoting condoms, sexual liberalism, and LGBTQ+ ideologies".
The petition called for the campaign to be halted, claiming it had caused concern among students, parents, alumni, and the public, as it conflicted with "morality, family, and truth".
It further cited images from the event that allegedly promoted such behaviour, pointing to collaborations with condom brands, the hosting of an STD prevention exhibition, and the use of slogans like "Keep It Safe, Keep It Fun".
In response, the SRC, along with fellow student groups Voice of Youtharian and Universiti Malaya Feminism Club, issued a statement yesterday, 3 July, clarifying the goals of their 'Gender Equality Week'
They explained that the initiative, which took place from 23 to 25 June, aimed to raise awareness on menstrual poverty, reproductive health, women's health, and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases — not to promote any lifestyle or ideology.
"Gender Equality Week was conceived as a response to real challenges faced by students and young people in Malaysia, ranging from sexual health issues to gender-based discrimination and stigma.
"To conflate these efforts with the 'promotion of sexual liberalism' is to ignore the very real challenges facing our generation," the statement read.
They cited a statement by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni, who recently revealed that over a thousand Malaysian university students were diagnosed with HIV between 2020 and 2024, including 222 cases reported just last year.
They added that the government has also acknowledged more than 130,000 adolescents experience period poverty in Malaysia.
"These are not abstract numbers. They reflect our peers, classmates, and friends," they said.
"Our goal is not to provoke, but to educate. Not to divide, but to foster dialogue," they added.
Besides condoms, the student council said they also distributed free sanitary pads, in partnership with professional and regulated brands, as a public health effort to equip students with accurate information and tools for responsible decision-making
"We reject attempts to mischaracterise this campaign as promoting 'sexual liberalism' or 'undermining tradition'," they said.
According to social media posts from last week, besides an STD awareness booth, the event also featured activities such as a menstrual health awareness exhibition, a period pain simulation booth, and talks centred around sexual health and reproductive rights.
Speakers from DAP Youth, the Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia, and a senior lecturer from Universiti Malaya's Gender Studies Programme were also invited to participate in a forum titled 'Consent, Safety, and Prevention: Foundations of Sexual Health'.
There was no content explicitly promoting LGBTQ+ values, as alleged in the petition.
UTAR President Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat has also addressed the issue, confirming that the university is reviewing the situation
In a statement to Sin Chew Daily, Ewe said the university has taken note of the petition and will launch an investigation to understand the full context of the incident.
He pointed out that while student-led gender equality activities have been held before, this was the first time condoms were handed out on campus.
However, he believed that the campaign was organised by students as a platform for sex education, not to advocate sexual liberalism.
Nonetheless, he assured that all campus activities must comply with national laws, and that the university will continue to ensure its events uphold educational and social values.
