Entry #336: Homosexual activity in Malaysia

Current Version

Region	Malaysia
Issue	Homosexual activity
Status	Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Start Date	1826
End Date	now
Description	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law male homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.
Sources	http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/general_opinions/comments/rethinking_malaysias_sodomy_laws.html

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Revision History (10)

Dec 13, 2023

edited by LGBTsoutheastasian. Grammar

	Old Value	New Value (Current)
Description	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law male homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law male homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.
Description	Show Difference Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law male homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three. Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.

Dec 13, 2023

edited by LGBTsoutheastasian. Punctuations

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law male homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.
Description	Show Difference Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three. male homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.

Dec 13, 2023

edited by LGBTsoutheastasian. grammar

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.
Description	Show Difference Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three. same-sex sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.

Dec 13, 2023

edited by LGBTsoutheastasian. added some grammar and punctuation corrections

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.
Description	Show Difference Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three. Malaysia, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the Malaysian federal law. However, Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines, caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison, fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.

Dec 12, 2022

edited by Pizzaslices412653. Illegal for both male and females.

	Old Value	New Value
Value	Male illegal, female uncertain	Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)

Reports (1)
Date is incorrect "It was criminalized in 1871"
Nov 7, 2023

Dec 5, 2022

edited by CHR0LL0PH0BICCC

	Old Value	New Value
Value	Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)	Male illegal, female uncertain

Dec 31, 2021

edited by Muhammadaji2022

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes.	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes or all three.
Description	Show Difference Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes. strokes or all three.

Nov 14, 2021

edited by Muhammadaji2022

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes.	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is up to three years prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes.
Description	Show Difference Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes. three years prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes.

Nov 14, 2021

edited by Muhammadaji2022

	Old Value (Original)	New Value
Description	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced.	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes.
Description	Show Difference Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia\'s anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced. Under the federal law Male Homosexuality is Illegal in Malaysia ,punishable by 2-20 years in prison , however the status of female homosexuality is unclear under the federal law. However , Muslim citizens of Malaysia can be sentenced to fines , caning and imprisonment for conducting same sexual relations under some states which imposes sharia Law. The maximum sentence that sharia courts can impose for these acts is prison , fines of up to RM 5,000 (1,204 USD) and caning of up to six strokes.

Sep 19, 2013

created by bradcoffey106

	Original entry
Status	Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Start Date	1826
End Date	now
Description	Unsure of date. Date shown reflects the British colonial territory of the Straits Settlements. Malaysia's anti-sodomy laws are relics of the colonial era and rarely enforced.
Sources	http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/general_opinions/comments/rethinking_malaysias_sodomy_laws.html

Reports (5)
Status is not correct "Female from Muslim community is illegal in certain states in Malaysia"
May 30, 2021
Status is not correct "Both are banned and can face punishment"
Mar 11, 2021
Status is not correct "illegal for female"
Aug 1, 2020
Status is not correct "Laws ARE enforced, with brutality. Both gay men and lesbians are arrested, beaten/caned, and jailed. Ample numbers of cases reported in 2019."
Nov 12, 2019
Status is not correct "Female illegal. Public caning done on lesbians attempting sex. Sources: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/malaysia-lesbian-couple-public-caning-islam-mahathir-mohamad-a8525706.html , https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/04/caning-of-lesbians-an-eye-opener-for-many-lawyer-it-gave-real-picture-of-syariah-punishment/"
May 26, 2019