Dating site Sugarbook's founder defends billboards, says 'sugar babies' aren't illegal sex workers

KUALA LUMPUR — Dating website Sugarbook's founder and chief executive officer Darren Chan believes that it is unfair to call for the app to be banned in Malaysia.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the electronic billboards in Bangsar and Bukit Kiara, which promoted the app, Mr Chan said the app was created to provide a dating platform for women, who can choose what they want from an ideal relationship without being judged.

“In light of the public’s concern over our billboard, we hope you understand that we built Sugarbook to empower women by giving them a dating platform to choose freely what they want in an ideal relationship, without being scrutinised," he said

“Women empowerment is about elevating women by increasing the capacity for them to be able to choose freely.

“The keyword here is choice and Sugarbook is about providing our people that precise choice,” Mr Chan added.

Mr Chan stressed that “sugar babies” were not illegal sex workers.

“They do not trade their bodies for monetary value... They are real people from all walks of life, for example, (they are) struggling single mothers, housewives, widows and divorcee," he said.

Mr Chan added: “While we believe the public’s intentions are good, it would be unjust to have us banned."

“Ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the freedoms and liberties of the Malaysian people,” he said. NEW STRAITS TIMES