Law experts set out two options in former CJ Chan Sek Keong’s analysis of 377A

One is that if court can narrow or broaden application of law on gross indecency in public, then law can remain

Former Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong argued that Section 377A of the Penal Code may have to be read in a way that it applies to all persons, not just men, who commit acts of gross indecency in public. PHOTO: ST FILE
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Legal experts have weighed in on former Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong's analysis of a gay-sex law, saying his arguments suggest there are two options open to a court of law: Either declare the clause unconstitutional or read it in a way that conforms to the constitutional requirement.

While the former lies with Parliament, it is unclear if Mr Chan is pushing for the latter.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 19, 2019, with the headline Law experts set out two options in former CJ Chan Sek Keong’s analysis of 377A. Subscribe