If you drive along Jalan Maarof (Bangsar) or Jalan Dutamas (Mont Kiara) , you probably spotted this billboards too? It’s digital billboard ads for Sugarbook, an online dating site that promotes Sugar Daddy dating.
Second locations revealed đź“Ť Publika @ Mont Kiara
Spot us now! #sugarbook #sugarbaby #sugardaddy #SugarBabies #sugardaddies pic.twitter.com/Z1RAtbIkOa
— Sugarbook (@thesugarbook) December 4, 2019
The controversial billboards sparked backlash from Malaysians. Tweets about those billboards went viral since 17 Dec.
1st time advertisements about prostitution on public billboard for public viewing in Malaysia.
Hebat networking Darren ni. pic.twitter.com/lVM7lo1FRv
— HereOn Earth (@earth_hereon) December 18, 2019
I'm 100% agree in banning Sugarbook from Malaysia.
Youth should not seek such job for money.
Old dudes should be loyal or get 2nd wife if you need to. Get approval first.Totally unorthodox this sugardaddy thingy.
— 🦷Atif 🇲🇾 (@LuqmanAtif) December 17, 2019
Iklan sugar daddy, sugar baby, sugar mummy dinaikkan dan terpampang secara terbuka.
Macamana DBKL boleh lulus signboard besar macamani?
@KhalidSamadterlepas pandang ke?
IMHO tak sesuai sekali dengan adab dan budaya kita di Malaysia.
Lokasi Banner: Bangsar dan Sri Hartamas. pic.twitter.com/OyWPC3dfbS
— Khairul Azri (@mkhairulazri) December 17, 2019
As a result of the backlash, DBKL has issued a statement and ordered to take down the billboards in both locations .
According to the Malay Mail, DBKL did not approve the advertisement for the app known as SugarBook on the billboard, which is owned by Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (YWP).
Interestingly, YWP also did not give the green light for the ad to go up, which basically means that it was illegally placed.
“The operator of the LED (billboard) has been notified about the advertisement content that is sensitive by Malaysian norms, and it must be immediately removed from the LED display,” according to the statement.
On the other hand, Darren Chan the founder of Sugarbook defended the billboards and clarified in Facebook said sugar babies aren’t illegal sex workers.
So, Malaysian what do you think?