Today: Voices: Disgusting, the way MPs are being threatened and humiliated (Oct 26)

Disgusting, the way MPs are being threatened and humiliated

Friday • October 26, 2007

Letter from TAN YAN CHONG

I refer to the article "Gay debate takes ugly turn" (Oct 25) which reported that some parliamentarians and members of the public have received hate mail following the debate on repealing Section 377A of the Penal Code.

The Section 377A debate is a sensitive issue and is by no means an easy topic to discuss.

I applaud the Members of Parliament (MPs) for fulfilling their mandate and speaking out on behalf the public — those for and against the issue. However, it now seems that our parliamentarians have become victims of the debate.

I am disgusted that some members of the public have threatened and humiliated the MPs who have spoken up about the issue, and even gone as far as to question the MPs' sexuality.

I hope that our MPs will not be deterred by this incident and will continue to speak out for ordinary citizens. It is clear from this unfortunate episode that there are no winners or losers, only victims.