Singapore, which in recent years has gradually eased social restrictions that
have given it a straight-laced reputation, said it had conducted a
comprehensive review of sexual offences in the penal code, which was enacted in
1871 and received its last significant amendments in 1984.
"We sought to modernise it to be in line with social mores and emerging
societal trends," the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
In another major change, the ministry proposes new laws to combat child
prostitution and sex tourism.
Prostitution is not an offence in the city-state but the proposed amendments
would make it a crime to purchase or solicit sex from anyone under the age of
18.
"What this new section does is to enhance the age of protection for females to
include 16 and 17-year-olds when commercial sex is involved," the ministry
said.
The purchase or solicitation of anyone under 18 in a foreign country would
become an offence which could be prosecuted in Singapore.
Local media have reported that some Singaporeans travel to the nearby
Indonesian island of Batam for sex with teenage girls.
"By introducing the extra-territorial laws, we will send a strong signal that
we are against this appalling act and deter those who are inclined towards such
acts," the ministry said.
A gay rights group, People Like Us (PLU), welcomed the repeal of the section
against "carnal intercourse against the order of nature", which currently
forbids oral and anal sex.
But PLU expressed disappointment there is no plan to repeal a section which
criminalises "gross indecency" between two males.
While acknowledging there have been no prosecutions against consenting males in
recent years, PLU said retention of the section "will signal to many that
homophobia is justifiable and acceptable and has the support of the state".
The Ministry of Home Affairs, in defending retention of the law against gay
sex, noted that Singapore remains a largely conservative society.
"Many do not tolerate homosexuality, and consider such acts abhorrent and
deviant. Many religious groups also do not condone homosexual acts," it said.
The ministry said there is no special emphasis on the review of sexual offences
in its revamp of the penal code. It said other proposed amendments, including
strengthened prosecution of credit-card fraud and the extension of several
offences to the electronic media including internet, could have a great impact.
Another proposal would clarify the definition of an unlawful assembly as a
gathering of five or more persons whose common objective is to commit any
offence.
"This is to make it clear that there is no need for the Act to affect public
tranquility before an offence of unlawful assembly is made out," the ministry
said.
In total the proposed changed would affect 19 existing offences, add 19 new
ones, and review penalties.
