hmmm.

IS holding hands in public an indecent behaviour? What about hugging your partner or spouse? Or a peck on the cheek of your significant other in public places?

It is, some say. But some also argue that it is not because it is an expression of love that should be encouraged. So, where do we draw the line?

This is the question following the Federal Court’s decision last Tuesday.

The court ruled that local governments have the authority to enact by-laws to prosecute for “disorderly or indecent behaviour” in public and held that the Kuala Lumpur Datuk Bandar was correct to charge two students, Ooi Kean Thong, 24, and Siow Ai Wei, 22, with allegedly behaving indecently by hugging and kissing at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park (see accompanying report).

While those we spoke to unanimously agreed that there should be laws or by-laws on the matter, they also want the authorities to come up with specific guidelines.

The public is confused over how far they can show their affection in public because each local authority has its own set of by-laws concerning public behaviour.

Some even express their fear that without specific guidelines, it is up to enforcement officers’ interpretation of decency which could also lead to corruption.

This view is shared by several non-governmental organisations and religious bodies who have called for a discussion between religious, racial groups and local councils on the guidelines.

Several lawyers, meanwhile, said laws or by-laws must be consistent and clear, and there must be space for the public to exercise their rights – echoing Bar Council chairman Bar Yeo Yang Poh’s statement last Wednesday.

Yeo had said that such laws, if necessary, should be less open-ended and should have clear definitions.

They should be Federal laws and not be left to the local authorities, or in the form of subsidiary legislation.

---------ARTICLE TAKEN FR0M MALAY MAIL 0NLINE -------------

what say you? hehe.