A letter in The Jakarta Post today suggests that the PAS guys in Malaysia may be inadvertently encouraging homosexuality with all the nonsense about men dancing with men and women dancing with women. Agree or disagree the letter writer, does seem to have cottoned on to something very logical.
Heterophobia
While liberal-minded people may applaud initiatives to increase tolerance toward homosexuality, these should not come at the cost of intolerance for normal heterosexual behavior.
The Jakarta Post‘s ASEAN section on Dec. 18 reported that “the Islamist rulers of a northern Malaysian state have decided to permit dance clubs, as long as they keep men and women apart.” These “rulers” appear to be encouraging homosexual behavior while discouraging traditionally heterosexual socializing.
In a similar vein, we read about efforts in Aceh Province to severely punish the mingling of unmarried couples by public caning. Presumably, this is the same crowd which is vigorously supporting Aa Gymnastiar’s recreational approach to marriage.
Moderate Indonesians may wonder why traditional customs are being thrown overboard by the same people who have been railing against the spread of Western culture. Indonesian culture is worth saving.
T. COTTON
Jakarta
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