Singapore to repeal law that criminalises sex between men a significant move, say analysts

The prime minister Lee Hsien Loong's announcement on Sunday that Singapore will repeal a law that criminalises sex between men is a significant move, according to political analysts.

It is important that the change be discussed and made in Parliament, not by the courts, they added.

He said during his National Day rally speech on Sunday that the country will repeal Section 377 A of the Penal Code and amend the Constitution to protect the definition of marriage, recognised by law as between a man and a woman, from being challenged in the courts.

Associate Professor Eugene Tan of the Singapore Management University's Yong Pung How School of Law described the twin announcements as the most significant made during Mr Lee's speech.

Assoc Prof Tan said that it is a good step in the right direction, even if it is controversial and may be seen as reinforcing the status quo.

The accommodation put forth by the Prime Minister is novel but necessary given what 377 A has come to signify for both sides of the divide. After Parliament last debated Section 377 A in 2007 when it decided that the law would stay but would not be actively enforced, Lee's announcement came 15 years later. Since then, attitudes have shifted appreciably, according to the Prime Minister on Sunday.

Dr Gillian Koh, deputy director of research at the Institute of Policy Studies IPS, said that the repeal of Section 377 A is a significant move that the LGBT lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lobby has been working hard to address.

She said that the move that balances interests across society must include the strengthening of the traditional notion of family.

The most important point that Lee stated is that he wants Parliament elected representatives to make a decision and not the courts. She noted that this is unlike what has happened in places like Taiwan and India.