Issue:
KULIM: Opposition parties should state their stand on the call by Human Rights Watch for Asia (HRW Asia) for Malaysia to legalise anal sex.

Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Wira Mohd Ali Rustam said Umno was surprised at the silence adopted by opposition parties at the attempt to degrade Malaysia.

"We are also surprised at the similar silence adopted by non-governmental organisations,"he told reporters after launching the Kulim Hospital's open day here yesterday.

HRW Asia director Sidney Jones said recently that the anti-sodomy law should be repealed as it violates the right to privacy and promotes discrimination.--Bernama

Response

Why would Malaysians want to pay heed to the suggestion of the HRW that the anti-sodomy law should be repealed? It was just a statement that came from a foreigner who doesn't know what the position of Islam is towards illegal sex (in its various forms), let alone sodomy. 

What we should be more concerned with is the total disregard of the authority towards the Islamic law governing the acts of accusing a person of sodomy. What Mahathir did was worse than the suggestion of the HRW Director, coming as it was from an ignorant person in these matters. 

Mahathir who on numerous occasions claimed himself to have spoken and acted with knowledge, insist on his former deputy's sexual tryst without producing any witnesses. Such allegations, from the Islamic point of view, is worst than the crimes themselves.

The opposition party, with particular reference to PAS have insisted time and again that Anwar Ibrahim should be brought to trial before the Syariah court. Even Karpal Singh have suggested that Anwar's case should be heard in the syariah court. PAS position on the act of sodomy or any crime of
such nature is clear and leaves no room for compromises. 

However, accusing one of commiting the crime without any qualifications of witnesses also constitute a serious crime punishable by law. So may we suggest that Dato' Ali Rustam and especially Dr Mahathir to do themselves a big favour. Please pay heed to the injunctions of the Quran before responding to the calls of the HRW concerning the acts of sodomy.