Anwar: Anti-sodomy laws archaic, completely unjust
(MMO) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has slammed Malaysia’s anti-sodomy laws as an archaic remnant of British colonisers, as Singapore debates to repeal its own similar provision.
The incoming PKR president told Al Jazeera English’s UpFront programme that the law needs to be amended since it can be open to abuse, as someone can be accused without any proper evidence.
“This is not only archaic, it is British colonial laws, introduced in India and replicated in Malaysia.
“It is completely unjust because one can be just accused, and without any proper evidence or, in my case clearly,” Anwar told host Mehdi Hassan.
Section 377A of Malaysia’s Penal Code person criminalises “carnal intercourse against the order of nature”, which included oral and anal sex, regardless of sexual orientation.
The offence is punishable with imprisonment up to 20 years, and also whipping.
“The laws must be amended to ensure there’s justice in the process and is not a matter of sexual orientation,” Anwar added added.
“It’s what you perform or you display publicly which is against the norms of the majority of Malaysians not only Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists alike in this country”.
