Malasia's attitude to sodomy and politics
August 8, 2000 4:10 AM Subscribe
Malasia's attitude to sodomy and politics is brought into graphic focus by this bizarre news story in which an ex leader of the country has been sentenced to nine years in prison for sodomy. His brother has been sentenced to six years and four lashes with a rattan cane. Human rights violations literally up the wazoo...
This is the outcome of a power play between Mahathir and Anwar and Anwar lost, at least for the time being. It's a shame that Malaysia's institutions have been so corrupted by the domestic money politics which has also stifled its democracy and rigged this trial outcome.
Surprizingly, however, you'll find very little sympathy for Anwar amongst the ethnic chinese in Malaysia who one might think would be his natural allies in the 'reformasi' movement.
Many see him as a dangerous Malay nationalist who wants to extend and impose islamic laws rather than build a truly democratic and multi-racial society.
Mahathir's rule now relies more than ever before on his alliance of malay, chinese and indian parties. While, Anwar's supporters have moved closer to the religious conservatives.
posted by lagado at 6:50 AM on August 8, 2000
Surprizingly, however, you'll find very little sympathy for Anwar amongst the ethnic chinese in Malaysia who one might think would be his natural allies in the 'reformasi' movement.
Many see him as a dangerous Malay nationalist who wants to extend and impose islamic laws rather than build a truly democratic and multi-racial society.
Mahathir's rule now relies more than ever before on his alliance of malay, chinese and indian parties. While, Anwar's supporters have moved closer to the religious conservatives.
posted by lagado at 6:50 AM on August 8, 2000
...coming at this from a completely different angle: In the 'developed world' this story is not just interesting because of the political corruption, it offends some people that you can actually be locked up for sodomy in Malaysia (whether you believe it was all a fix or not). Our press would have a field day with their principles regarding young girls, sex and marriage. People consider this story appalling because they are 'just not like us'.
posted by nico at 11:29 PM on August 10, 2000
posted by nico at 11:29 PM on August 10, 2000
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But then again...we know a regional bully when we see one. Thankfully, he doesn't have Japan's industrial might or we might have had to construct bomb shelters again...
posted by murray_kester at 5:19 AM on August 8, 2000