Guest Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 Community Home > Metro > Community Monday, 7 March 2016 Taman Bandaran Kelana Jaya a popular hangout for gay and bisexual community after midnight BY SHEILA SRI PRIYA, T.L. TAN, andC.Y. LEE Although Taman Bandaran Kelana Jaya is poorly lit near the lake area, the carpark is busy with vehicles coming in past midnight. —Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS More in Metro Shocking discovery for owners Thick and moist apam balik comes with different fillings Vape products being sold from car boots and roadside stalls Experience helps Texan to qualify for eating contest final Water and music zones highlight of 5km route around Sepang circuit IN THE evenings, Taman Bandaran Kelana Jaya is a popular spot for families and joggers but as night falls and the crowds disperse, it becomes home to a more closeted community. For the past 15 years, the park has become a favourite place for those who hide their gender identity and sexual orientation. StarMetro visited the park past midnight on several evenings recently and spoke to some of those who gather there. ADVERTISEMENT The park was dark but many vehicles were seen entering and exiting the carpark. The ambient light from nearby condominiums and the general city glare gave a twilight cast to the park and men could be seen walking about, seemingly aimless or seated looking at their smartphones at points around the central park area. The boathouse sees an almost unending stream of men of all ages coming in and going out. The male crowd at the lake did not engage in conversation with anyone. Taman Bandaran Kelana Jaya also attracts anglers at night and MBPJ said it was illegal to fish at night here. They mostly looked like they were on their own and many were seen standing at one location in the dark. When the StarMetro reporters took a walk to the boathouse, they discovered several individuals engaged in immoral activities. On the flip side, there were also those who came to the park to indulge in some night fishing but these people were mostly in groups. A 33-year-old man, who had been living in the Klang Valley for a decade, said he was trying to hook-up with other like-minded individuals after getting disappointed with smart phone apps. “Half the time when I go on the app and chat and make appointments to meet with the other guy, the person does not show up. “Or their profile is deceiving. The profile picture put up doesn’t look anything like the person you actually meet,” he said. He spoke in Mandarin and Cantonese and revealed that he had a much older boyfriend. However, he visited the lake to cari makan (indulge in casual sex) because his partner was also out doing the same. He stressed though, that he had never gone further than oral sex with those he had hooked up with at the lake. The second person StarMetro spoke to was fluent in Malay and said he was bisexual. Although married, he kept his sexual orientation a secret from his family and visited the park occasionally to meet other men. Both men StarMetro spoke to said there had been raids by the authorities at the lake, but, by and large, they were left alone. “Sometimes, you get law enforcement officers or even those from the armed forces coming here for the same reason as us, but we need to be careful,” said the bisexual. Resident Sahabat Taman Kelana Jaya secretary and SS7 Lengkuk Golf Residents Association chairman Esham Salam said the park was well-known as a spot for immoral activities during the wee hours of the morning. “If you are internet savvy, you will be able to find out all the sordid details of this park,” he said. Esham added that it was a common site to see used condoms strewn about the park in the morning. Wong said at least 40% of those he spoke to at the Kelana Jaya lake late at night would stop to fill in the survey forms distributed during his outreach programmes. “If you visit the abandoned boathouse, you will find used condoms on the floor. We have seen it several times,” he said. Esham added that in the past, raids had been carried out in the park but the immoral activities persisted. “The issue had been raised with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) numerous times but the problem was ongoing. “All these raids are just a one-off solution to the issue. “Why not brighten the lake and make it less conducive for such activities?” he suggested. The remedy would be continuous enforcement, Esham added. PT Foundation acting chief operations officer Raymond Tai said the foundation was aware that a certain segment of the men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) population had been using the park as a social gathering site for more than 15 years. However, the foundation had found the venue to be a practical place to promote public health education. The foundation worked with key affected populations and assisted the Health Ministry in reducing HIV and sexually-transmitted infections (STI), as well as promote HIV testing. “We adopt a non-discriminatory and non-judgemental approach in dealing with key affected populations. “Our volunteers conduct peer outreach programmes in the park about twice a month, “Our volunteers are trained to approach the visitors in a respectable and friendly manner. “Our focus is on helping the community be aware of HIV and STIs. “We encourage them to self assess their risk exposure to HIV and STIs, provide accurate information and encourage them to get tested for HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases,” he said. “As our volunteers are able to gain their trust, we are able to have a useful conversation around safe sex practices. Tai said the foundation is aware of the issue at the lake which has been ongoing for over 15 years. “Contrary to public perception, not all MSM are engaged in multiple partner relationships, and not all MSM are engaged in high risk sexual behaviour,” he said. Tai said many were monogamous, and many practised using condoms all the time. However, as there is always a certain level of risk in all sexual activities, the only way to know if one is infected with HIV is to get tested regularly, which the foundation encourages. “Many are afraid of getting tested due to the stigma associated. “They are worried their identity will be revealed and their families will be notified,” said Tai. The foundation tries to help reduce the stigma by offering anonymous and confidential testing conducted at the Community Health Care Centre (CHC). The clients are supported with pre- and post-test counselling. “For those who test positive for diseases, our centre will provide practical assistance and follow-up with treatment, care and support. “We have a buddy support group and peer counsellors who can assist the client every step of the way,” he said. The CHCC is open to all regardless of race, religion, age, gender and sexuality. The clients range from students to factory workers, to professionals and government servants. PT Foundation does not believe that a punitive and moralistic approach would serve the interest of public health, especially since the Government has affirmed that the country’s goal is to end AIDS by 2023. “In order to do that, we need to ensure that 90% of the key affected populations get tested and treated so that there are no new transmissions. “As the MSM population is one of the key affected populations, it is important that gay men and other MSM are not stigmatised to the point they go underground,” said Tai. Currently, due to legislation and religious persecution, the community is afraid to come forward for testing and treatment. Hence organisations such as PT Foundation are doing what they can to help the Health Ministry, he added. Tai said venues such as Kelana Jaya park made the outreach programme easier. However, raids and negative media exposure will drive the community further underground. PT Foundation volunteer Andy Wong, 26, said at least 40% of those he spoke to at the Kelana Jaya lake late at night would stop to fill in the survey forms distributed during his outreach work. Wong said when he was on a PT foundation outreach activity, he had met a well-built man who was reluctant to carry condoms. The guy said he would not accept condoms from the foundation or carry a condom because he would be in trouble if the authorities nabbed him. “He told us carrying a condom would make him a suspect if he was caught. “This hampers our efforts to promote safe sex to avoid diseases,” said Wong. Tai said the MSM community were also vulnerable to other problems when they visited places such as the lake. “They sometimes get robbed, attacked by mat rempit, beaten and even held ransom by those they meet,” he said. MBPJ public relations officer Zainun Zakariah said the council was aware of the problems at the lake and had on numerous occasions changed the lights to brighten the area. “We have even installed stadium-type lights there. They vandalise the lights by messing with the electricity cables or even breaking the light bulbs,” she said. She added that fishing was also not allowed at the lake after sunset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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