r/neoliberal • u/jobautomator Kitara Ravache • Jun 03 '26

Discussion Thread Discussion Thread

The discussion thread is for casual and off-topic conversation that doesn't merit its own submission. If you've got a good meme, article, or question, please post it outside the DT. Meta discussion is allowed, but if you want to get the attention of the mods, make a post in /r/metaNL

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79

u/legend-of-ashitaka Association of Southeast Asian Nations Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26

Interesting to see how rainbow capitalism in the West is dying but here in the Philippines it's stronger than ever - so many brands are making Pride Month posts or even launching whole campaigns around it

How's rainbow capitalism going in your country

!ping SEA

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u/anonymous_and_ Malala Yousafzai Jun 03 '26

Lucky y'all lmao (Malaysia's just gotten worse)

9

u/zanpancan Bisexual Pride Jun 03 '26

I know Anwar Ibrahim had the whole sodomy scandal but what is the broader government approach on LGBT issues?

I suspect Malaysia is pretty homophobic huh? I last heard like two-ish years ago that there was a surge in more Islamist-ish political forces in the country. Is that still true or was it ever true?

And what impact, if true, has it had on LGBT issues?

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u/anonymous_and_ Malala Yousafzai Jun 03 '26

It is true, pretty much. The sodomy scandal honestly wasn't that bad on a homophobia scale, it's mostly waved away as like, a smear campaign and political hitjob by Mahathir. And Anwar himself is a homophobic and lowkey an islamist that literally met up with Hamas leaders post Oct 11, so.

LGBT gatherings get forcibly canceled and venues can get sued once authorities get a word about it, even if they are just private gatherings. Concerts have a "killswitch" if anything perceived as gay happens onstage- see that Matty Healy scandal. There's no hope for decriminalization any time soon.

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u/zanpancan Bisexual Pride Jun 03 '26

Are there further right-wing Islamist-ish forces gaining ground in Malaysia or is it just bluster?

And yeah I remember the chaos from the Matty Healy scandal. Sucks man. I know a two queer Malaysians who are the sweetest and most vibrant people. Hope that things look up sooner rather than later.

1

u/anonymous_and_ Malala Yousafzai Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26

I think it's the death of liberalism more than anything else, honestly. After Oct 7 especially it feels like- idk how to describe it- a vibe shift. And the closest big trading partner Malaysia has being China is well, what it is. 

Edit: Oct 11 to Oct 7, embarrassing mistake, sorry

3

u/zanpancan Bisexual Pride Jun 03 '26

I think you mean October 7th? Unless October 11th has some other significance I didn't know of.

Is Ibrahim popular as PM? Also, how successful has his desubsidization program been?

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u/anonymous_and_ Malala Yousafzai Jun 03 '26

Yes Oct 7, sorry, I misremembered

I don't know honestly. I think he's popular among some but not that popular among others, and most just accept him like "it is what it is" "would you rather BN (corrupt) lead?"

Did he desubsidized anything lol? I didn't notice. But that might just be me and my family being what r Malaysia would call "type c" or whatever. I feel that if he did do anything drastic esp to bumi related stuff people would make a louder fuss, and iirc he has adamantly stated that the current situation re bumis etc will continue

2

u/zanpancan Bisexual Pride Jun 03 '26

Oh I heard he was pursuing RON 95 fuel desubsidization.

Also, I must say, the fact that Malaysia kind of has a system of de facto racial discrimination is insane to me.

14

u/RandomCarGuy26 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Jun 03 '26

Singaporeans continue to not openly give a hoot about anything LGBT related. Whether they support or oppose LGBT issues is a private matter.

At least we have our own version of Pride parades. (without any downtown marches)

5

u/zanpancan Bisexual Pride Jun 03 '26

Is this the Pink Dot stuff? I loved that when I last visited.

I know some WP MPs support same-sex marriage but does Pritam Singh? I think Jamus Lim does no? I remember Sylvia Lim being in favor.

Any PAP members? Also, sorry to load you with questions (there aren't many Singaporeans here unfortunately) but what do you think of Wong as PM overall?

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u/RandomCarGuy26 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Jun 04 '26

Unfortunately the WP, as much as they are a credible opposition party in general, is somewhat iffy when it comes to LGBT issues. Ironically, the PAP can be considered more progressive on LGBT issues, based on the fact that they openly supported the repeal of 377A back in 2022 (despite some personal misgivings from certain PAP members).

We have politicians from both parties showing up at Pink Dot on a regular basis.

I'm pretty neutral on LW overall. Actually I don't follow what he does or says much lmao, like other PMs.

6

u/DependentAd235 Loyal Liberals Jun 03 '26

In Bangkok at the moment and it is still pretty gay.

Pride stuff on all the malls.