Malaysian state mulls laws against homosexuals

Malaysia's Malacca state government is considering enacting Islamic laws to prosecute Muslim homosexuals and organizations promoting homosexuality, a state government official confirmed with Xinhua on Wednesday. Malacca chief minister and state Islamic Council chairman, Mohd Ali Rustam said the state would revise its current Islamic legislation, which does not have provisions to deal with homosexuals. "We don't want such unsavoury culture creeping in and damaging the moral fabric of our society," Mohd Ali quoted by a local daily as saying. More than 60 percent of Malaysia's 28 million population are Muslims. A state government official who refused to be named said the enactment had stemmed from a controversial gay arts festival to promote gay rights in the Muslim majority country. The festival was due to start on Wednesday but it was banned by police last week. Police said the annual "Sexuality Independence" festival would disrupt public order as several Muslim organisations threatened to rally against the event. The festival, themed "Queer without Fear," was meant to champion homosexual rights through forums on sexuality and art exhibitions, according to organisers.