Malaysian lawmaker sorry for proposed ‘anti-seduction law’

A Malaysian lawmaker apologised yesterday after his proposal for legislation to protect men from being “seduced” by women into committing sex crimes such as rape sparked a storm of criticism.

Mohamad Imran Abdul Hamid, a senator from the country’s ruling coalition, made the comments during a debate in parliament’s upper house Wednesday.

“I propose... a sexual harassment act to protect men from the actions, words and clothing of women, which can cause men to be seduced to the point they can commit acts such as incest, rape, molestation, (watching) pornography,” he was cited as saying by local media.

“This is important, we (men) need to be protected. The actions, clothing of women can seduce us into breaking the law.”

The retired admiral’s remarks drew swift criticism from campaigners in the Muslim-majority country and the leader of his own People’s Justice Party, Anwar Ibrahim, called on him to retract them.

Mohamad Imran apologised and withdrew his proposal: “Although my intention was sincere, I did not expect it to be perceived as a huge mistake that offended many women and men as well.”