“Don’t normalise LGBTQ!” – M’sians Shocked as Local TV Station Airs Cartoon Featuring Gay Dads Kissing

Malaysian audiences are not happy with a local TV station after LGBTQ elements were spotted in a cartoon that the station aired.

In a viral Threads post by Malaysian Muslim preacher PU Syed this morning (17 November), he questioned the local TV station, urging for answers on how the scene featuring a gay father could be released and broadcast on a channel that Malaysians of all ages have access to.

“Has no one filtered the scene before broadcasting it? The LGBTQ ideologies can be easily spread if the show is broadcast without filters.”

Local preacher slams local TV station for airing a cartoon with LGBTQ elements

The cartoon that found itself under fire is Santiago of the Seas, and airs on TV2 with new episodes every Sunday morning. In his post, PU Syed called for action to be taken against officers involved in filtering the scene.

According to the show’s description, the character Rio is confirmed to be one of the LGBTQ characters in Santiago of the Seas, a production by Nickelodeon Jr. Rio is the adoptive father of Lorelai and Anani, a mermaid denizen of Merlandia City, and he is married to Martin. 

His gay relationship with Martin is acknowledged in the show, something many Malaysian audiences deem inappropriate not only for children, but for the culture in Malaysia in general.

“DO NOT normalise LGBTQ!”

In another viral Threads post, another Malaysian mentioned that he was baffled to see two male characters kissing each other.

He further urged the TV action to take necessary actions and filter necessary scenes, while other users, who were similarly shocked by the revelation, also sought the relevant ministers to look into the matter by tagging the Communication minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, in the comment sections.

Both Fahmi Fadzil and the TV station, at the time of writing, have yet to respond to the matter.

What do you think of the airing of LGBTQ elements on a local TV channel?

Also read: “I’m ashamed, but…” – M’sian Man Cheats on Wife with Father-in-Law After She Gave Birth to Firstborn