KOTA TINGGI: A recent run organised here was intended for charity, not to promote any form of sexuality, said the Johor Baru Hash House Harriers president Datuk A. Magendran, addressing concerns over the attire of participants.
The charity run themed the 'Red Dress Run', is a global Hash House Harriers tradition where participants wear red-themed attire for the fun charity run.
It is a tradition since 1987, which originated the San Diego Hash House Harriers, and has become a worldwide phenomenon.
However, controversy arose when three participants — a Taiwanese man in traditional attire, an Indian national wearing a saree with a saree blouse, and a local man in a housecoat — drew attention for their unconventional outfits.
The Taiwanese participant was shirtless, and his outfit exposed his buttock cheeks.
Magendran clarified that the participants were not cross-dressing to promote or support LGBTQ+ causes.
"The run was purely for fun and charity. We are neither against nor in support of any sexual groups or individuals—it was simply a run," he told the New Straits Times, when contacted today.
The event, organised by the Johor Baru Hash House Harriers chapter, aimed to showcase Johor's attractions, particularly Desaru, to the runners.
Magendran confirmed that police had taken statements from the three participants, but the run continued as planned.
"We raised RM10,100, which will be donated to children with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy through the association in Johor Baru," he said.
"We were focused on ensuring the smooth execution of the event and overlooked the participants' attire. The run saw over 2,000 participants.
Earlier, NST reported that police detained the three participants for suspected indecent and lewd behaviour during the Pan Asia International Run held at Desaru, in Bandar Penawar, here, between Oct 4 and 6.
Magendran, who goes by the nickname 'Indomee' within the Hash community, said the Johor Baru chapter was founded in 1968 and had never faced issues with authorities before.
"We are fully cooperating with the police, and we never intended to offend anyone. It was simply an oversight," he added.
The Hash House Harriers is a global network of non-competitive running clubs, with events known as 'Hashes' or 'Hash Runs'.
Male members are called Harriers, and females, Harriettes.
Hashing began in December 1938 in Kuala Lumpur, when British expatriates started meeting for runs modelled after the traditional British 'hare and hounds' game, where hares set a paper trail for hounds to follow.