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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore should strive to maintain a balance between conservative citizens and giving space for homosexuals to live and contribute to society.
Mr Lee was among the many MPs in Parliament who spoke in support of keeping Section 377A of the Penal Code, which deems sex between men a crime.
The passing of the amended Penal Code concluded two days of debate on the most comprehensive review in more than 20 years.
Section 377A may be the hot button issue in Singapore, but whether homosexuality is debated here or in Western countries, it would remain a contentious topic, said PM Lee.
He said abolishing 377A would not end the argument because there are deep concerns of moral values among the majority of Singaporeans.
Repealing the law would also not give gay activists what they want, which is acceptance.
The prime minister said gays in Singapore do have space and they are not harassed.
He said abolishing Section 377A could send the wrong signal and push gay activists to ask for more, such as changing what is taught in schools and advocating same-sex marriages and parenting.
He said: "Homosexuals work in all sectors, all over the economy, in the private sector as well as in the civil service. They are free to lead their lives, free to pursue their social activities. But there are restraints and we do not approve of them actively promoting their lifestyle to others or setting the tone of mainstream society."
Many MPs support keeping 377A, citing moral concerns among Singaporeans.
MP of Marine Parade GRC Seah Kian Peng said: "My own view is a simple one: I would be the mother who loves her gay son, I would be the man who loves his gay brother, I would be the first to stand up for a gay man's rights, to be treated as an equal under the law.
"Yet I am an MP who believes that as a nation, our families are not ready to have an open acceptance of the gay lifestyle, including same-sex marriages and gay adoption of children. I believe key institutions would be weakened by the repeal of 377A."
MP of Tampines GRC Ong Kian Min said: "The majority of Singaporeans have unequivocally rejected this cry to decriminalise homosexuality. The overwhelming sentiments of Singaporeans are that they are not prepared to compromise their conservative family values by opening up to alternative sexual behaviour or allowing it to permeate across time-honoured boundaries into the conventional family sanctity."
Some of the MPs said even though 377A is not strictly observed, questions remain about enforcing it.
Tanjong Pagar GRC Baey Yam Keng said: "With no proactive enforcement, should anyone be a good citizen and report private gay sexual activities to police or should they simply ignore (them)?
"Will there be ramifications of this legislation when someone rents his apartment to a gay couple? Would he be charged with abetting an accomplice to a crime under Section 5 of the Penal Code? Besides valid immigration and employment papers, should landlords now ask for confirmation of the tenant's sexual orientation?"
Mr Lee believes it is better to accept legal untidiness and ambiguity over 377A, adding that it is unwise to force the issue definitively one way or the other because there are strong views on both sides, and the debate will change few minds.
He said: "I should therefore say, as a matter of reality, that the more gay activists push this agenda, the stronger will be the push back from conservative forces in our society. As we are beginning to see in this debate in the last few weeks and months, the result will be counterproductive because it's going to lead to less space for the gay community in Singapore."
The prime minister said it is better to let the situation evolve gradually while observing the impact of how it is worked out in other countries.
Singapore will have to remain one step behind the frontline of any change on this issue.
- CNA/so
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