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Malaysia slams gay pastor's wedding plan

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Teo Cheng Wee, Kuala Lumpur – A Malaysian pastor's announcement that he and his male partner are getting married has led the local authorities to warn that this could cause social problems in the country.

Pastor Ou Yang Wen Feng, 41, revealed in a recent interview that he is planning to wed his American partner Phineas Newborn III, 47, in New York by the end of this month. The state legalized same-sex marriages in June.

That would then be followed by ceremonies in both Malaysia and the United States, where the two currently live.

Ou Yang is studying for a doctoral degree in theology and serves at the Metropolitan Community Church in New York, while Newborn is a Broadway musical producer.

The news of the marriage, which was reported in several local dailies last week, was met with a swift retort from the Malaysian government. On Sunday, religious affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom called it an "extreme" expression of freedom, which could lead to "worse social symptoms".

"In our civil law, same-sex marriage is not allowed. Because in the laws of our country, a male must marry a female. Male and male, female and female is not allowed," Jamil, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, was quoted as saying by Bernama.

His comments echoed those of Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam, who told Malaysians on Saturday to be wary and not be influenced by such behaviour. Ali also criticised the media for highlighting Ou Yang's story.

Homosexuality, while socially tolerated in Malaysia, is a taboo topic on which strong public stands are seldom taken. Gay sex, even if consensual, is illegal, while someone found guilty of sodomy can be jailed for up to 20 years.

This is not the first time Ou Yang has made the news. A former columnist for Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily, he declared his sexual orientation in 2006, after nine years of marriage to his now ex-wife.

The following year, he received hate mail and threats for opening a gay-friendly church in suburban Kuala Lumpur, which is still functioning today. Although Ou Yang maintained that the church was open to everyone, it was swiftly dubbed a "gay church".

The outspoken Ou Yang, who returns regularly to Malaysia, has also urged homosexuals in Malaysia to "keep coming out" to help battle homophobia.

The news has divided Malaysians on active online forums here. While some people defended his decision, others agreed with the authorities, calling it "sinful".

Malay daily Utusan Malaysia has run reports over the past three days on this issue, quoting both Christian and Muslim groups speaking up against gay marriage.

In an editorial published yesterday, it urged the government to oppose and stop Ou Yang's marriage. "Every day we see attempts to destroy our value system. Pastor Ou is doing it openly," it said.