Malaysian Leader Attacks Gays & Western ‘Homo” Media in National TV
Speech
365Gay.com,
September 3, 2003
By Peter Hacker, 365Gay.com Newscenter, Asia Bureau Chief
Kuala Lumpur—A nationally televised speech marking
Malaysia’s national holiday by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was riddled
with anti-gay epithets and threats.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 300,000 following a massive parade in the
capital, and broadcast live throughout the country, Mahathir said Malaysia’s
achievements proved its policies worked. He then claimed that foreign powers
were trying dominate weak countries and warned that Western influences
threatened Malaysia’s traditional values.
“Western films idolize sex, violence, murders and wars,” said Mahathir,
a critic of U.S.-led globalization. “Now they permit homosexual practices
and accept religious leaders with openly gay lifestyles.”
“They are very angry—especially their reporters, many of whom are
homos—when we take legal action against these practices,” Mahathir said.
Same-sex acts in Malaysia are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a
flogging.
Mahathir warned that “if there are any homosexuals in Malaysia they had
better mend their ways,” or face the maximum prison terms.
Mahathir has often denounced homosexuality. In 1998, he fired his former
deputy Anwar Ibrahim for allegedly committing sodomy, and in 2001, he said
Malaysia would expel a homosexual British Cabinet minister if he visited with
his partner.
Mahathir will retire in November. His hand-picked
successor, deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he will continue the country’s
strict Moslem prohibitions against homosexuality.
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