Fight for LGBT Rights in Malaysia
Target: Government of Malaysia
Goal: Allow LGBT rights in Malaysia by reforming current laws criminalizing sodomy and oral sex
LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights are simply not recognized in Malaysia.
The nation retains its colonial era penal code criminalizing sodomy and oral sex. Social attitudes
towards the LGBT community are also shaped by Islam, the official religion in Malaysia.
The nation retains its colonial era penal code criminalizing sodomy and oral sex. Social attitudes
towards the LGBT community are also shaped by Islam, the official religion in Malaysia.
Sodomy is taken so seriously that when mixed with politics it can have dire consequences.
On June 28, 2008, Saiful Bukhari Azian, a 23-year old former assistant of Malaysia’s opposition
leader, Anwar Ibrahim, told police that Mr. Anwar had committed sodomy. Mr. Anwar has denied
the allegation and is suing the aide for defamation. Despite national and international protests,
he was not released until he had served out four years of his sentence, in 2004, when the Federal
Court of Malaysia acquitted him of all charges.
On June 28, 2008, Saiful Bukhari Azian, a 23-year old former assistant of Malaysia’s opposition
leader, Anwar Ibrahim, told police that Mr. Anwar had committed sodomy. Mr. Anwar has denied
the allegation and is suing the aide for defamation. Despite national and international protests,
he was not released until he had served out four years of his sentence, in 2004, when the Federal
Court of Malaysia acquitted him of all charges.
After his release, Anwar stated that he was innocent and the allegations were part of a government
conspiracy to end his political career. He also felt that the national criminal laws against homosexuality
ought to be reformed to protect consenting adult’s right to have a private life, although he also stated
that gay marriage, “is going a bit too far”.
conspiracy to end his political career. He also felt that the national criminal laws against homosexuality
ought to be reformed to protect consenting adult’s right to have a private life, although he also stated
that gay marriage, “is going a bit too far”.
In 2007, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad responded to a civil lawsuit filed by Anwar by
stating that a homosexual should not hold public office in Malaysia.
stating that a homosexual should not hold public office in Malaysia.
Decriminalization is one of the main goals of the LBGT (and basic) Human Rights. The impact of
criminalizing non-heteronormative behavior and sexual relationships has far-reaching consequences—
violence and discrimination against LGBT people; vulnerability to abuse and extortion; living
conditions that are at best isolating and at worst lethal. Please sign the petition below and take
action for LGBT rights in Malaysia.
criminalizing non-heteronormative behavior and sexual relationships has far-reaching consequences—
violence and discrimination against LGBT people; vulnerability to abuse and extortion; living
conditions that are at best isolating and at worst lethal. Please sign the petition below and take
action for LGBT rights in Malaysia.
Dear Malaysian Government,
Malaysia retains its dated criminal ban on sodomy (as well as oral sex), broadly defined to include both heterosexual and homosexual acts, with possible punishment including fines, prison sentences of
up to twenty years, and even corporal punishment. A subsection of the criminal code, also provides
additional punishment for persons convicted of, “gross indecency with another male person”.
In addition to the secular law, Muslim citizens may also be charged in special Islamic courts.
up to twenty years, and even corporal punishment. A subsection of the criminal code, also provides
additional punishment for persons convicted of, “gross indecency with another male person”.
In addition to the secular law, Muslim citizens may also be charged in special Islamic courts.
There has been some public discussion about reforming the law so as to exempt private, non-commercial, sexual acts between consenting adults. Some members of the major opposition party, have
expressed support for such a reform, most notably Lathefeea Koya and Anwar Ibrahim but this
is not the official position of the party. No political party or elected member of parliament has
formally proposed such a reform.
expressed support for such a reform, most notably Lathefeea Koya and Anwar Ibrahim but this
is not the official position of the party. No political party or elected member of parliament has
formally proposed such a reform.
As we have seen, the arguments against gay marriage don’t hold up to close scrutiny.
Neither the arguments traditionally raised nor the real feelings of the opponents make much
sense when held up to the light of reason.
Neither the arguments traditionally raised nor the real feelings of the opponents make much
sense when held up to the light of reason.
So let’s get on with it. Let’s get over our aversion to what we oppose for irrational reasons,
based on ignorance and faulty assumptions, and make Malaysia a more just and honorable society.
based on ignorance and faulty assumptions, and make Malaysia a more just and honorable society.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Will Go Here]
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