"Decision on Section 377A ‘a matter for Parliament’: Shanmugam
SINGAPORE: Any decision on Section 377A of Singapore’s Penal Code is “a matter for Parliament”, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Saturday (Sep 8) at a Ministry of Home Affairs event.
Mr Shanmugam was speaking to reporters for the second time on the subject, since a landmark ruling by India’s Supreme Court on Thursday repealing a British colonial-era ban on gay sex.
“In the Singapore context, the Section 377A was challenged as being unconstitutional some years ago, 2014. The Supreme Court decided that it was constitutional, it was not invalid. So whether you decide to keep it, whether you decide to repeal it, amend it, it’s a matter for parliament.”
Mr Shanmugam added that depending on legislation, “public opinion is often relevant” when it comes to public policy making.
Under section 377A, a man found to have committed an act of "gross indecency" with another man could be jailed for up to two years.
On Friday, Mr Shanmugam said that while there is a growing minority who want 377A to be repealed, Singaporeans remain "deeply split" on the matter."
A point to make is that Minister Shanmugam once said: "public or popular opinions" should not sway policy n law making if such populism is "clearly wrong, misguided or detrimental to peace n harmony of society. So, what is his take on this "increasing minority who want to repeal 377A"?
Is it populism that was misguided or bad for the majority of society?
It will b good if ministers stated unequivocally their public opinion as most privately seemed to lean towards: "between consenting adults, i dont care or it is a private matter."
Only thing i want to reiterate is: for human to reproduce, same sex can't do it naturally.
Also, the concerns by the majority are same sex marriage, adoption of children by homosexual parents, etc. will come n eventually leading to "not wanting to serve or deal with lgbt" as it is against that person's or religious beliefs becomes a crime of discrimination.
Are these concerns or fears legitimate?
SINGAPORE: Any decision on Section 377A of Singapore’s Penal Code is “a matter for Parliament”, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Saturday (Sep 8) at a Ministry of Home Affairs event.
Mr Shanmugam was speaking to reporters for the second time on the subject, since a landmark ruling by India’s Supreme Court on Thursday repealing a British colonial-era ban on gay sex.
“In the Singapore context, the Section 377A was challenged as being unconstitutional some years ago, 2014. The Supreme Court decided that it was constitutional, it was not invalid. So whether you decide to keep it, whether you decide to repeal it, amend it, it’s a matter for parliament.”
Mr Shanmugam added that depending on legislation, “public opinion is often relevant” when it comes to public policy making.
Under section 377A, a man found to have committed an act of "gross indecency" with another man could be jailed for up to two years.
On Friday, Mr Shanmugam said that while there is a growing minority who want 377A to be repealed, Singaporeans remain "deeply split" on the matter."
A point to make is that Minister Shanmugam once said: "public or popular opinions" should not sway policy n law making if such populism is "clearly wrong, misguided or detrimental to peace n harmony of society. So, what is his take on this "increasing minority who want to repeal 377A"?
Is it populism that was misguided or bad for the majority of society?
It will b good if ministers stated unequivocally their public opinion as most privately seemed to lean towards: "between consenting adults, i dont care or it is a private matter."
Only thing i want to reiterate is: for human to reproduce, same sex can't do it naturally.
Also, the concerns by the majority are same sex marriage, adoption of children by homosexual parents, etc. will come n eventually leading to "not wanting to serve or deal with lgbt" as it is against that person's or religious beliefs becomes a crime of discrimination.
Are these concerns or fears legitimate?
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