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AGC intervenes in 377A debate

SINGAPORE — The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) stepped in yesterday as the debate over Section 377A of the Penal Code — which criminalises sex between men — continued unabated.

SINGAPORE — The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) stepped in yesterday as the debate over Section 377A of the Penal Code — which criminalises sex between men — continued unabated.

In a media statement, the AGC pointed out that the High Court is due to hear two cases on the constitutionality of Section 377A, and public comments about the issue could be deemed as sub judice “if the statements are calculated to affect the minds of the courts hearing the case, the minds of parties who are concerned in the case itself, or if they amount to public pre-judgment of the case, and there is a real risk of prejudice”.

The cases, stemming from separate applications made by a gay couple and a man who was convicted under Section 377A, are understood to be the trigger for supporters of the law to make their views heard.

The AGC said: “All parties are therefore advised to refrain from making any public comments on these matters that are sub judice, pending final determination by the courts. (The AGC) takes a serious view of any statements which are sub judice and will, if necessary, act to protect the integrity of the administration of justice.”

The AGC’s statement — it had immediate effect, as a pastor retracted some of his comments on the issue to this newspaper — comes after lobbying by supporters and detractors of Section 377A intensified in recent weeks, with several figures from both camps publicly making their stand.

Some Members of Parliament (MPs) told TODAY that they have also received several emails over the last few weeks from people asking the Government for the legislation to be retained.

It is understood that at some Meet-the-People Sessions, MPs were also approached by residents who took the chance to express their stand on the issue.

Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng said he has received five emails since earlier this month, while Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Zaqy Mohamad said he got three emails — the contents of which are “similar” — over a 24-hour period yesterday.

Nevertheless, Bishan-Toa Payoh MP Hri Kumar, who has received seven emails, said it did not appear to be a concerted effort.

He added: “I replied to one where the writer was under the impression that Parliament was going to debate the issue next week. And I just told him there was no such debate.”

Yesterday, Cornerstone Community Church Senior Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong was quoted in the media as saying that an informal network of churches had mobilised people to make known their views that they want the law retained.

When contacted, Mr Yang said he will now ask parishioners to follow the AGC’s advice. “Whatever the AGC says, we will follow to the letter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Law and Foreign Minister K Shanmugam met yesterday with a group of people — including a church group — to discuss the issue.

Mr Shanmugam said: “We had a frank discussion. They explained their viewpoints with considerable conviction. They were concerned about what they saw as being the consequences to our society, if LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights were recognised to a greater extent.”

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