Anwar says the unity government will not repeal Penal Code section 377
In 2023 Prime Minister Anwar publicly restated that his government would not repeal Penal Code section 377 on carnal intercourse against the order of nature, citing the Malay-Muslim majority and coalition arithmetic. Federal Court 2015 is the neighbouring personal-legal row. In the causal graph this event weakens Protection of Minority Rights, a driver that strengthens Having a say in government — a worsening welfare path.
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In 2023 Prime Minister Anwar publicly restated that his government would not repeal Penal Code section 377 on carnal intercourse against the order of nature, citing the Malay-Muslim majority and coalition arithmetic.
Context
377 is colonial-era statute. PAS and UMNO oppose repeal. He does not sit as every syariah court.
Federal Court 2015 is the neighbouring personal-legal row. The 1975 ban is a neighbouring civic row.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, chairs Cabinet, and is appointed under Articles 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution. He does not write Bank Negara Malaysia policy rates, does not sit as every state menteri besar, and does not author a United States or China statute. A 1999–2018 prosecution or pardon cluster is not a 2023 subsidy. Allegation is not a completed personal conviction unless a court so held. As of 27 August 2026 he remains prime minister.
Why it matters
The path is protection of minority rights: a completed refusal to repeal 377 is a dated legal-status freeze for same-sex conduct.
Who was responsible
Contribution type and responsibility level for each recorded actor — not sole-author shorthand.
Anwar Ibrahim
PersonDirect responsibility
responsibility level 0.55 · verified
He set the political line. Parliament would have to repeal. PAS and UMNO share the veto weather. Police and syariah courts enforce neighbouring files.
What changed
Fact → Driver → Indicator. Relationship strength orders the paths; it is not the observed indicator movement.
- FactAnwar says the unity government will not repeal Penal Code section 377
- weakensDriverProtection of Minority Rights
- strengthensIndicators (2)Having a say in government
impact weight 0.55 · Effect from 15 September 2023 · verified
A completed freeze of 377 leaves same-sex conduct criminalised under federal law.
Strengthens · Relationship strength 0.25 (weight 0.55 × strength 0.45)
Observed
29.8% of population aged 16-65 years · 8.13 below the normal line (2023)
Worse than normalTwo readings: 30.2% of population aged 16-65 years (2021) and 29.8% of population aged 16-65 years (2023).
20212023 Above normal = better
Weakens · Relationship strength 0.25 (weight 0.55 × strength 0.45)
Observed
43.9 Score · 43.9 above the normal line (2024)
Worse than normal26 readings, 1996–2024: rose from 43 Score to 43.9 Score.
Normal is zero · any amount = worse
- FactAnwar says the unity government will not repeal Penal Code section 377
- strengthensDriverPolitical Polarization
- weakensIndicators (2)Having a say in government
impact weight 0.35 · Effect from 15 September 2023 · verified
The freeze polarised liberal PH voters and PAS critics in opposite directions.
Weakens · Relationship strength 0.16 (weight 0.35 × strength 0.45)
Observed
29.8% of population aged 16-65 years · 8.13 below the normal line (2023)
Worse than normalTwo readings: 30.2% of population aged 16-65 years (2021) and 29.8% of population aged 16-65 years (2023).
20212023 Above normal = better
Strengthens · Relationship strength 0.16 (weight 0.35 × strength 0.45)
Observed
43.9 Score · 43.9 above the normal line (2024)
Worse than normal26 readings, 1996–2024: rose from 43 Score to 43.9 Score.
Normal is zero · any amount = worse
Evidence
The sources behind this fact and its verification state.
- 1.Reuters — Malaysia’s Anwar says he cannot change LGBT lawsReuters · High credibility · verified
- 2.Prime Minister’s Department — 2 September 1998 statement removing Anwar Ibrahim from DPM and FinancePrime Minister's Department Malaysia · High credibility · verified
What the sources establish
Prime Minister's Office Malaysia carries the official instrument or communique. Reuters records the same dated act independently.
Established: 2023 public line that 377 will not be repealed, independently reported.
Not established: that every later raid was uniquely ordered that day, or that hudud was thereby federalised.
Parliament would have to repeal. PAS and UMNO share the veto weather. Police and syariah courts enforce neighbouring files.. A later repeal, court stay, or successor order would be a different Fact with a different date. That pair identifies Anwar says the unity government will not repeal Penal Code section 377, not a later speech about Anwar says the unity government will not repeal Penal Code section 377.
Co-authors and later implementers named in Context remain on the file. If a later repeal, stay, or successor instrument exists, it needs its own date and its own row. The contribution described on this Person row is limited to He set the political line. Parliament would have to repeal. PAS and UMNO share the veto weather. That limit is the alternative to treating office-holding as authorship of every later series.
Causal path
How this event connects to drivers and indicators in the graph.
- ActorAnwar Ibrahim
- contributed toFactAnwar says the unity government will not repeal Penal Code section 377
- weakensDrivers (2)Protection of Minority Rights
- strengthensIndicatorHaving a say in government
Cite this page
Factrail. (2026). Anwar says the unity government will not repeal Penal Code section 377. Factrail. https://factrail.ai/facts/my-anwar-377-2023
https://factrail.ai/facts/my-anwar-377-2023
Accessed 15 October 2026.
By the Factrail desk · Method: how we source and score · Last reviewed
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