Seksualiti Merdeka is an annual sexuality rights festival held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia featuring a programme of talks, workshops, theatre and music performances organised by a coalition of Malaysian NGOs, artists and individuals. According to the organisers, the purpose of the festival, which has been organised annually since 2008, is not to change the minds of the public to embrace the values of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender ( LGBT ) community, but to consolidate the LGBT community, and empower Malaysians to recognise their rights.

Lofty ideals aside, the week-long festival is basically a time for the minority group to gather, talk and share with the rest of the public.

Of course, any mention of sexuality – especially in regards to alternative sexuality – gets the belligerent religious zealots in our country extremely riled up. Picket signs and pitchforks get waved about as the scholarly exhibition is erroneously labeled as a hedonistic sex orgy. The surprisingly efficient cops come along and the festival is summarily banned.

Case closed, you would say – except this time, the boys in blue seem to have bitten off more than they can chew since the highly vocal organisers of Seksualiti Merdeka aren’t giving up all that easily.

With the potentially explosive issue being bantered about daily on the media headlines, there is a growing schism amongst the members of the GLBT community on how to deal with the unprecedented limelight. Even as the furore slowly dies down to become yesterday’s news, I think the issue has unearthed an unsettling rift in the community.

Despite our relatively small number, there is a clear separation of ideas amongst people like us: on one side we have the aggressive campaigners who advocate stridently marching for their civil rights while on the other, we have the more complacent gentlefolk who prefer things kept on the down-low without attracting much unwanted attention.

Time for war?
A situation ripe for battle. Akin to the beginnings of a civil war, repeated volleys of taunts and ripostes have already been launched from one group to the other with little chance of a ceasefire in the near future. Especially since it’s already clear that the two sides on either sides of the rift have vastly differing opinions when it comes to their sexuality.

Speaking from the position I am in, it would be easy to just keep mum, hunker down and refrain from rocking the boat so to speak. Things are actually going good. Home life is doing fine, even after my recent coming out. Same for the workplace. Homosexuality isn’t a dire mental disease to be cured anymore and despite their own reservations, even the most conservative would hesitate to speak against it since it would contravene accepted medical practice. So publicly open homophobia amongst my colleagues is rare.

Being in a more fortunate place in life, isn’t it time to help our downtrodden brothers and sisters who are being discriminated against? I think there is a need to have someone literally out there and proud – and yes, shouting our slogans in public as well. Though I don’t see the need for twinkly pink parade floats careering down Bukit Bintang anytime soon, I think homosexuals and transgenders need a credible voice out there to make a gentle push for tolerance and change. Perhaps even an identifiable model to show that things actually do get better so that teens struggling with their sexuality would know for sure that a bright future is eminently possible.

And yes, though it would be a long time coming, I would like someday to repeal the damned antiquated 377A penal code. Having that particular Sword of Damocles perpetually hanging over our heads for the rest of our lives is a chilling prospect.

So yes, I am glad there are folks like the ballsy outspoken organisers of Seksualiti Merdeka who are willing to risk the painful brickbats of the conservatives to speak up for the issues close to our heart. People like these are the ones who made Stonewall happen. Though we might not have chosen these champions to represent us, that doesn’t make their sacrifices any less worthy of our respect.

There is more than enough hate in the world for people like us, we don’t have to add to it.

It is with Great Sadness that we read about the Malaysian Police Ban of the Seksualiti Merdeka Festival planned to be held in Malaysia from the 9th to the 13th of November.

Malaysia claims to be “Truly Asia” but the banning of the festival by the Malaysian authorities proves otherwise. Asia is about diversity, and if one is to truly embrace the essence of Asia, one embraces and respects its diversity of culture, religion, and language, celebrates its people and their own unique ways of expressing emotion, love and sexuality, all this accompanied with the sounds, aromas and color, create what we all consider to be the drama of what Asia is all about, if we take one of these elements out, we loose what is truly Asia.

The banning of the Festival by the Malaysian Police is a fundamental disregard of the rights of the Malaysian Citizens to freedom of speech and expression.

Mr. Khalid Abu Bakar, Deputy inspector General of Police in his statement also shows blatant disregard to the Human Rights of the LGBT community in Malaysia, and clearly does not consider their rights as Human Rights.

We strongly urge the Malaysian authorities to reinstate the festival and celebrate the diversity that is truly Asia.

Poedjiati Tan & Sahran Abeysundara
Asian Representatives to the ILGA WORLD Board

Violence, stigma and discrimination against those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexed or queer (LGBTIQ) has for too long been justified in the name of culture and religion. In Malaysia, the situation is no different. There are LGBTIQ youth who contemplate suicide because of judgment and rejection from society. There are LGBTIQ youth who are kicked out from their homes as early as the age of 15 and sometimes, younger. Yet, these LGBTIQs are our fellow Malaysians, our friends and sometimes our own family members and relatives. With your help, both Knowledge and Rights with Young people through Safer Spaces (KRYSS) and Seksualiti Merdeka want to bring the message home to all Malaysians, that “Violence is not our culture”. We want Malaysia to be known as an equally safe space for all, irrespective of our sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). With your help, we want to let all LGBTIQs in Malaysia know that there are Malaysians who do accept the way we identify ourselves. We respect each other as we do our indigenous peoples, our poor and our people with disabilities.

So we are inviting you to submit your original artwork and creative pieces to the “Violence is Not Our Culture: The SOGI Project”. We will compile winning submissions and selected voluntary contributions into a bound plain paper notebook that is designed to raise public awareness regarding issues faced by the LGBTIQ community in Malaysia. By participating in this competition and contributing your creative pieces, you will help us say to all Malaysians, that in the face of violence, “silence is not an option” and that “violence is not our culture”.

KRYSS is an organisation that works with young people on the issue of discrimination and rights through creative platforms. KRYSS continues to adopt the vision that it was first founded on: “We are committed to a world where young people feel safe and empowered to be themselves, to define and express their own hopes, dreams and realities, and act upon them without fear of discrimination or violence. Where diversity, creativity and personal capacities are celebrated and nurtured, and each person regardless of gender is empowered in body, mind and spirit.”

Seksualiti Merdeka is an annual sexuality rights festival held in Kuala Lumpur, and represents a coalition of Malaysian NGOs and volunteers. “We believe that everyone in Malaysia deserves to be free from discrimination, harassment and violence for their sexual orientations and their gender identities. We believe it is our right to be responsible for our own bodies. We believe everyone is entitled to the freedom to love and the freedom to be, whether gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersexed, straight, asexual, pansexual, or simply fabulous.”

HOW TO ENTER

Theme: Artwork must send across the message that “Violence is not our culture” and that violence, stigma and discrimination against any member of the LGBTIQ community has no justification. Artistic as well as positive interpretations of the message is encouraged. The artwork may centre on any one or any combination of the Yogyakarta Principles ; or the 29 Ways towards an LGBTIQ-friendly Malaysia. The artwork may also use the six colours of the rainbow flag in any form or manner. Each artwork submission must be accompanied by an explanatory concept of the visual, written in either English or Bahasa Malaysia. Artists must also submit a personal message of their own to accompany each of their artwork submission.

Contest Eligibility. The competition is open to artists 18 years or older. Work must be original, and not photographs of the original. Original photography and original digital art are acceptable. Work will be judged on creativity, technical expertise, content as well as the artistic interpretation and effectiveness of the messaging. Artwork not meeting these four key criteria will not be considered during final judging. A bound plain paper notebook will be made from winning designs, so work will also be considered by ease of reproduction for this format and for the cover. Artists may enter as many works as they choose, but are only eligible to win one cash prize.

Voluntary Contributions. Artists may also enter voluntary contributions. Voluntarily contributed work must be original and can be in the form of photographs, artwork or poetry. Artists must submit a personal message of their own to accompany each voluntarily contributed creative piece. If creative piece is selected for reproduction, artist will be provided with one free plain paper notebook. Artists may only receive one free plain paper notebook irrespective of number of voluntary contributions selected for reproduction.

Media. Any two-dimensional medium reproducible by photographic process is acceptable. Three-dimensional work with a depth no greater than 3/8” is also acceptable.

Size. For those vying for the 1st prize cash award dedicated to designing the cover, artwork must be 21 cm (height) x 1.4 cm (spine) x 15 cm (width) x 1.4 cm (spine) x 5 to 10 cm (variable width for flip cover) with a bleed margin of 0.5 cm. See template (PDF file) attached. The width for the flip cover will depend on the artwork being submitted as cover design and the artist’s own decision. The design may be either vertical or horizontal.

Other artwork submissions (vying for the 2nd, 3rd and consolation prizes) must be 20.5 cm x 14.5 cm, with a bleed margin of 0.5 cm. The design may be either vertical or horizontal. Variations of any artwork submitted for the cover design may also be entered.

Format. All artwork must be sent as high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) PDFs (recommended). High-resolution JPGs or Illustrator AI/EPS formats are also acceptable.

Cash Awards. Each of the winning artists will be eligible for Awards of Excellence. The first cash prize award of RM1,000/- will be given to the artwork chosen for the cover design based on the specifications provided above. RM500/- will be awarded for the second prize and RM300/- for the third prize. There will also be ten consolation prizes of RM200/- each. Artists may only win one cash prize.

Judging. Judging for the competition will be held a week after the closing date. Judges will comprise of both artists and activists of different backgrounds and experiences. Winners will be notified individually by phone or e-mail. Judges’ decisions are final.

Copyright. Artists may retain ownership over all their original artwork and voluntary contributions submitted. By entering their artwork and participating in this contest and project, artists hereby grant permission to KRYSS and/or Seksualiti Merdeka to reproduce the winning entries and selected voluntary contributions. Artists also hereby agree to KRYSS and/or Seksualiti Merdeka reproducing their artwork under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Winning artworks will be featured alongside other LGBTIQ-centric text and visuals in the plain paper notebook. KRYSS and/or Seksualiti Merdeka reserves the right to feature all submitted artwork and creative pieces in other collaterals/printed matter for any purpose in relation to the documentation of violence, stigma and discrimination of the LGBTIQ community in Malaysia as well as in relation to the protection and promotion of the human rights of the LGBTIQ community in Malaysia.

To enter. Entries must be received by 11th September 2011. Entries should include full name of artist, mobile phone contact number, e-mail address contact, and a short bio (100 words) of the artist.

Entries must be e-mailed to: violenceisnotourculture @ gmail.com.

IMPORTANT: Both KRYSS and Seksualiti Merdeka are not responsible for the return of any artwork or if reproductions do not match the expectations of the artist. KRYSS and Seksualiti Merdeka reserve the right to use a standard cover for the plain paper notebook and to make any other alterations to the specifications of the bound paper notebook.

Justice for Sisters is a grassroots campaign organized by concerned members of the public to raise public awareness about issues surrounding violence and persecution against the Mak Nyah community in Malaysia. The campaign also aims to raise funds amounting to RM60,000 to finance court cases that have been brought up against transgenders who have been charged in Syariah court.

All proceeds will be channeled to the Justice for Sisters Fund.
Below are the details:

JUSTICE FOR SISTERS Fundraising Concert

Date: Saturday February 12, 2011

Time: 2pm – 10pm

Venue: Black Box, MAP KL

Admission:

Show 1 (2pm – 4pm) RM 10 by donation

Show 2 (5pm – 7pm) RM 15 by donation

Show 3 (8pm – 10 pm) RM 15 by donation

Featuring:

chi too, Buka Kolektif, DUNG, Dara Othman, Davina Goh, Elaine Foster, Ferns , Furniture, Furious George feat Operasi Sabu (George Wielgus, Faisal and Kuning), Illya Sumanto, Kathleen Choo, KG, Krisis Halusinasi, Mei Chern, Nabila Nasir, PT’S Angels feat Sajad and Sharon, Priya K, Reza Salleh, Sheena, Tanjong, Think!Tadpole!Think!, Tshiung Han See

Press Release:STOP THE VIOLENCE AND PERSECUTION TOWARDS US
Press Statement by the Mak Nyah Community of Malaysia

Contact: Thilaga
Date: 30 November 2010

We are the Mak Nyah community and we are being persecuted by Section 66 on “Lelaki berlagak seperti perempuan” of the Syariah Criminal Enactment (Negeri Sembilan) 1992 (please refer to this section and similar sections in other states in Malaysia in Appendix 1). We have suffered mental distress, physical violence and even sexual molestation at the hands of the religious officers who enforce these laws. We are stripped of a life of dignity and deprived of our personal liberty, and we fear for our lives. We are unable to step out of our homes without the fear of getting harassed, abused or arrested. We are no longer able to go out or to eat and drink in public without the fear of harassment and abuse from the religious officers who enforce these laws. We demand that the religious authorities of the State of Negeri Sembilan and all its officers stop harassing, victimising and persecuting us for who we are.

In Negeri Sembilan where we live, we are forced to walk around without our brassieres as it is used as evidence against us upon arrest. We are “advised” by the religious officers to just wear t-shirts, track bottoms or men’s shorts. Despite following these instructions, we are still arrested on the basis that we physically look like women. We are sexually molested or our breasts are groped when the religious officers who enforce these laws insist on checking if we are wearing brassieres. We are sometimes made to change our clothes in full view of the religious officers.

We are instructed to plead “Guilty” by the religious officers and even by the state’s Legal Aid Bureau. Without proper legal advice, we plead “guilty” and as a result we are sentenced with heavy fines and sometimes we even face imprisonment. Under such laws, it is impossible for us to live and earn a living. Sometimes, we are also compelled to attend mandatory religious counseling sessions. We are Mak Nyahs. No amount of “counseling” or coercion can ever change that. All we ask is to be left alone and for respect of our personal and private lives. Such mandatory counseling we consider to be an infringement of our personal liberty.

We also suffer hardships in obtaining employment as we are discriminated against by employers on the basis of who we are. We suffer rejection in schools and in some institutions of higher learning. At the latter, we are sometimes required to attend boot camps in order to make us more “manly”.

As Mak Nyahs, we have the right to live with dignity like all citizens in Malaysia. We have the right to our identity, the right to self-expression in our dress and mannerisms, the right to respect for our personal and private life and the right to livelihood as other citizens in Malaysia. These are our fundamental liberties as enshrined in Articles 5, 8 and 10 of the Federal Constitution, the supreme law of the land. Any law that violates our rights arbitrarily is no longer good law.

These are also violations of our human rights under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Jogjakarta Principles on human rights relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.

We ask the Legislative assemblypersons of Negeri Sembilan, the Negeri Sembilan Religious Department Directors and all other Malaysian elected representatives and leaders to stop the violence and persecution that has been targeted against our Mak Nyah community.

We appeal to all who believe in freedom under the Federal Constitution, human rights, non-discrimination and equality, to stand with us and join us in our call for the stop of the targeted persecution and violence towards our Mak Nyah community in Malaysia.

Repurposed from an email sent to an active Malaysian mailing list.

=======
[snip]
Some friends and I got together to write a simple memo about some recent articles in tabloids like Kosmo! and papers like The Star and Berita Harian that demonise the queer community, specifically in the context of exposés on lesbian parties in town. These articles reflect a trend of stigmatization against queers in the mainstream press that encourages continued violence and discrimination against sexual minorities. We submitted said memorandum to SUHAKAM last week, and we’re looking to get 1000 signatures for our online petition by the end of the month.

You can sign that petition (text below this email) here:

“Memorandum on Ill Representation and Discrimination of the Queer Community in the Media | Memorandum berkenaan diskriminasi dan representasi yang mengaibkan komuniti LGBTIQ dalam media” :
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/kryss/

I hope you’ll sign and encourage other pals and allies to sign on too.

[snip]

Memorandum to Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
June 10, 2010

We refer to the articles published in Kosmo! (“Parti Lesbian Berleluasa”) and the Harian Metro (“Aksi Panas Pengkid, Lesbian”) dated 2nd and 16th May respectively.

We, the undersigned, are enraged by the usage of disparaging words such as “songsang” (deviant), “lucah” (lewd) and “jijik” (disgusting) in the newspaper reports to describe the queer community. The words used by Kosmo! and the Harian Metro and echoed by other newspapers (such as The Star, 3 May 2010) are heavily loaded with moral connotations and paint the queer community unjustifiably and unfairly as deviants and morally tainted.

These recent attacks were first and foremost attacks on sexual rights and, by extension, on human rights. The claim and exercise of these rights are integral to a person’s identity and self-worth and do not in any way contribute to general misconduct or a decline in moral values as wrongly implied by these journalists and newspapers. The continued stigma and discrimination perpetuated by the media towards the queer community (more pronounced since August 2003 when a memorandum was sent to Suhakam then) shows that Suhakam has done nothing to effectively uphold the human rights of the queer community as Malaysians of equal status.

These attacks were also a violation of privacy since these gatherings were by invitation only and exclusive to the queer community concerned.

Besides those two articles which were published recently in Harian Metro and Kosmo!, more than a dozen of articles have been published this year alone in local newspapers (please refer to attachment). These articles are reflective of an ongoing hostile trend by the media towards people of different sexual orientation and gender identity, in complete disregard for their human rights.

We strongly condemn journalists and newspapers who use unscrupulous tactics to obtain their stories and who further rely on sensationalism and titillation to sell their newspapers. We consider these journalists and newspapers unethical and unprofessional because they break the profession’s own standards of good reporting.

Both journalists and editors should be aware of the impact and consequences of how the news is reported especially when it comes to news about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities where unethical and biased reporting only instigates hate and violence towards the queer community. Creating and encouraging an environment of hate and violence is criminal. As a result of such irresponsible reporting, private spaces are being invaded and violated, thus making it harder and harder for the queer community to enjoy their human rights just like other Malaysians.

In light of our urgent concerns, we repeat our call since 28 August 2003, and urge Suhakam:

First, to push for the protection of the human rights of individuals perceived or identified lesbians, bisexuals, gay, transsexual, transgendered, queer, under the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Second, to pressure the government to repeal all laws that outlaw and criminalise mutually consensual sexual behaviour between adults.

Third, to further educate citizens on constitutional provisions for the protection of the human rights of citizens and non-citizens, and to further educate the public on the spirit and core values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Yogyakarta Principles.

Fourth, to pressure the government to repeal all laws that restrict freedom of expression and freedom of information.

We hope that together, we will all be able to protect the democratic principles enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution, and strengthen the practice of a truly humane, participatory democracy in Malaysia.

For more information:
http://www.malaysiaforum.org/nmf/

Come join many other Malaysians from around the US to talk about Malaysia, and the harapan we can have for our country. Join group discussions, and take part in the forum that will be broadcast live from KL. We’ll also be having a live Local Forum on ‘active citizenship’ and what it means for us to be Malaysians living abroad.

We’re expecting around 70 to 80 participants. And this will be a good time to socialize and widen our networks.

Our confirmed panelists:

Arts, Literature and Education

1. Pete Teo
2. Sharon Bakar
3. Lim Soon Heng
4. Fahmi Fadzil

Racial and Religious Harmony: Understanding the ‘Allah’ Issue

1. Khairy Jamaluddin
2. Haris Ibrahim
3. Wong Chin Huat

Repurposed from AP News

All 18-year-old Constance McMillen wanted to do during prom was wear a tux and bring her girlfriend. Her 715-student school in rural Mississippi decided to cancel the prom when Constance kept on requesting her school to lift the ban on bringing same-sex dates.
Small justice was served when the U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson said he would hold a trial regarding the issue because canceling the prom violated McMillen’s rights.

Sometimes you just have to stick to your guns, you never know what you might get. In McMillen’s case:
- Invites to popular talk shows
- $30,000 college scholarships
- Nation-wide attention and awareness

McMillen, you go girl. If the prom happened, I would totally be your cougar date

Oscar Wilde’s only published novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is due for a film adaptation. Dorian Gray will be released in September, 2009.

Wilde’s sexuality has been much discussed —he was definitely not heterosexual, and the hedenostic protagonist of his creation, Dorian Gray, follows suit.

For those unfamiliar with this story, here is a brief recap; Dorian Gray is a beautiful socialite, who trades his soul to keep his looks. Though he remains perfect looking, his nature becomes more vicious and evil. In contrast, a portrait of Dorian in the attic slowly gets older and uglier, reflecting the soulless monster he becomes.

The trailer looks rather faithful to the book (some parts even look like little salutes to previous film adaptations).

The film director, Oliver Parker, has suggested that the once subversive novel is nowadays more a part of tradition, and he wants to “blow off the dust”. Will this Dorian Gray really remain “the very portrait of modernity”? From the trailer, I’m not entirely convinced, but I’ll have to wait till September to say.

Meanwhile, I introduce you to what looks like (to me) an effective adaptation of Dorian Gray.

Wilde was a person of words; witty, pithy, and memorable. That this adaptation is a dance (without words), is quite a skillful switch of languages to me, from spoken, to physical:

It is choreographer/director Matthew Bourne’s Dorian Gray. In this modernised version, Dorian Gray is immortalised in billboards as the face of a new perfume. Dorian Gray is a celebrity, serial killer, and from the looks of it, a rakish devil.

Those who will like to watch more of Matthew Bourne’s Dorian Gray should click here (and wait for 1:50).

——————————

As an aside, I am currently collecting stories of people who went for KL Pride poolside party. If you’ve not heard, Harian Metro sent a female journalist undercover to the party, and she wrote something one would expect from the tabloid that is HM.

It’s a nasty piece of work, that article, and I am angered at the parties responsible. If you, or your family, are regular readers of HM, I suggest not giving them any more business.

Apparently all kinds of scandalous things happened at the party. For one thing, how dare lesbians dance without shame? Everyone knows homosexuals are only allowed to dance with a cower in their footsteps. And….kissing? Are you mocking the hate-rag that is Harian Metro, even though they had no bloody business being there?

[ To those who hooked up, picked up, and got their rocks off that night, good on ya ]

Well, I’m glad it sounds like you all had some fun at the party; I’m sorry about the crap that HM published. Fuck what Harian Metro had to say, their version of the party was crap, and let’s face it, written to sensationalise everything. Like you wouldn’t get the same stuff in different events.

I didn’t go for the party (I’m currently not in the country). I don’t want the only thing I know about the party to be from the scummy article I read, and I’m sure there are others who would prefer we reclaim what happened that night.

I want to hear from you.

How did the party go? Did you find it friendly?

What outfit did you pick? Did you meet any new people (you hung out with your cliques, kan? )?

Did you go into the pool? Were there any interesting people?

Were you the last one standing? How many girls were wearing boybeaters?

Who had an awkward bump-in with their ex, and their ex’s ex, who is now hitting on the same straight girl as you? How was the DJ?

If you have an anecdote on how the party went, please do email lainieyeoh@gmail.com soon (really soon), I’d like to hear from you. Anything. Save me from the crap memory that came from Harian Metro.

Sayoni presents the first ever Coming Out Guide in Singapore. Please provide your feedback on the guide.

This preliminary version of the guide was launched on 1 August, at the opening of IndigNation 2009, Singapore’s pride season.

From Launch of Coming Out Guide (preliminary version)

While I haven’t read the entire pdf, I did manage to go through a few sections and I feel that certain sections (debunking myths!) will be helpful for those with questions towards their own sexuality. Anj Ho, one of the presenters for Seksualiti Merdeka last year on spotting homophobic traits, is heading the team behind this booklet.

It also shows with simple diagrams and explanations, how sexuality orientation is comprised of sexual identity, attraction and behaviour. If you’ve ever wondered why certain things queer people do conflict with ideas you have on what they should be doing (ie: is a lesbian who sleeps with a man still a lesbian?), you should probably pick up some 101 guidance here.

Give it a go and see how you react to the content.

Jakarta [3 June 2009]. On 9-13 August 2009, Bali will host the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) – the biggest congress on HIV and AIDS in the region. Approximately 3,000 delegates from 51 Asian and 14 Pacific countries are expected to attend this congress. The theme of the
9th ICAAP is “Empowering People, Strengthening Networks” to support a vibrant community of empowered people, all across Asia and the Pacific, to mobilize a holistic and more effective response to the crossborder challenges of today’s HIV pandemic.
The Local Organizing Committee Chair, Prof. Dr. Zubairi Djoerban,Sp.PD-KHOM, who is also the Chair of the Indonesian AIDS Society (Masyarakat Peduli AIDS Indonesia), said “we recognize that ICAAP is the second largest AIDS forum in the world and are grateful for the confidence in Indonesia to host this
important meeting. We are inspired by the decision and will work hard to assure that the congress activities will advance regional efforts to respond effectively to the challenge of HIV and AIDS today and in the future.”

Mr. JVR Prasada Rao, Director, Regional Support Team, Asia and the Pacific, Joint United Nations
Program on AIDS (UNAIDS), added, “the 9th ICAAP promises to be an even better and bigger conference
than previous ICAAPs. There will be evidence-based discussion on whether Universal Access can be an
achievable goal by 2010 for many countries in Asia and the Pacific. Every facet of the epidemic and the
region’s responses are featured in the wide array of session and activities.”

The congress will take place at the Bali International Convention Centre (BICC) in Nusa Dua, and is
scheduled to be officially opened on 9 August by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono, in a ceremony at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park.

ICAAP is a biennial gathering for the release and discussion of scientific, programmatic and policy
developments in the global response to HIV/AIDS and is convened by AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific (ASAP).

In his message to the 9th ICAAP, Professor Myung-Hwan Cho, President of ASAP said that
“Indonesia has been given the opportunity to take bold and innovative steps n support of the regional
response to HIV and AIDS. Countries of Asia and other regions will be waiting to see Indonesia take the lead.”

According to the Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia (2008), AIDS remains the most likely cause of
death and loss of work days among people aged 15 to 44. The number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Asia in 2007 is an estimated 5 million, with a number of new infections (380,000) comparatively speaking equal to the number of people who died from AIDS-related illnesses (380,000). In Oceania an estimated 740,000 people were living with HIV in 2007 of which 13,000 were new infections.

Reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on HIV and AIDS requires all member countries to
halt and reverse the spread of the epidemic by 2015; this includes the Universal Access target of 2010 whereby all those who need treatment should also receive it, and the urgency to strengthen each country’s health system to ensure effective delivery of services and response.

Mr Rao continued, “what is really impressive is that the conference will showcase the immense progress
made by community groups, working together and in partnership with government and other partners, in
spearheading the response in many countries in the Asia Pacific region.”

Similar to previous ICAAPs, sessions will be divided into Plenary Sessions where distinguished
researchers, community leaders and policy specialists share the latest information and experiences; 24 symposia on topics such as addressing legal barriers and criminalization of at-risk populations, and a leadership session for delegates from the Pacific region; 64 oral sessions on topics related to prevention, care support and treatment of HIV and AIDS, understanding socio-cultural, economic and political determinants in the AIDS response, and on leadership.

Besides these, 32 skills-building workshops will also be held to help delegates improve various skills that
can apply to their daily work; Satellite Meetings and Exhibitions showcase the efforts of civil society and the private sector in the response to HIV and AIDS.
Distinguished guest speakers will include Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director; Michel Kazatchkine, Director of the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM); Kyung-Wha Kang, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights; Dr Nafiz Sadik, Special Envoy for AIDS in Asia and the Pacific; Myung Hwan Cho, President of AIDS Society of Asia and Pacific (ASAP) and representatives from Seven Sisters, Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (APN+), Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW), CARAM Asia, Asian Harm Reduction Network (AHRN), APCASO, APN Rainbow.

A Community Forum will also take place before the congress on 7–8 August, where various communities
each have their own conference to identify and share common issues and experiences. Seven
communities will be represented including people living with HIV (PLHIV); Injecting Drug Users (IDU);
Interfaith; Men who have sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender; Sex Workers; Women, including
Lesbians; and Youth.

The Asia-Pacific Village will be a friendly, fun and colorful venue to celebrate the region’s diversity, with arts and music performances, small group discussions, informal education activities, and regional stalls selling handicrafts and snacks made by people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

The Asia-Pacific Village will be open to the general public. Prior to the official opening ceremony on 9 August, a high-level meeting of AIDS Ambassadors will be held, co-hosted by the First Lady and National AIDS Ambassador, Mrs. Ani Bambang Yudhoyono, and AIDS Ambassador of Australia, Murray Proctor. The AIDS Ambassador’s Meeting will address the role of AIDS Ambassadors in the region in mobilizing greater action and accountability for the response.

For more information, please contact:
Ika Nazaruddin
Pacto Convex
Ph 62-21 571-9973
Ika_nazar@cbn.net.id
Elis Widen
Congress Coordinator
Ph 62-21 571-9973
elis.widen@icaap9.org
Ristya Paramita
Public Information Officer
Ph. 62-21-39838845/46
ristya.paramita@icaap9.org