WHILE he is all for respecting homosexuals, MP Lim Biow Chuan (Marine Parade GRC) does not believe gays are born that way.

Rising to speak immediately after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Mr Lim yesterday took a different view from that of the PM, who said there is a growing body of scientific evidence that sexual orientation is substantially inborn.

Said Mr Lim: 'With the greatest respect to the prime minister, I must state that I do not think there is conclusive evidence that homosexual behaviour is inborn.

'The jury is out on this issue and different scientists would have different views on the matter.'

PM Lee had joined the debate on a citizens' petition to repeal the law criminalising sex between men.

Urging the various groups to leave Section 377A alone, PM Lee said there is space in Singapore for all, including homosexuals, to live together.

Acknowledging their place in Singapore, Mr Lim said that while he disagreed with homosexual practice, he was not against gays.

'I have friends who are gay and my approach to them is simply that I do not agree with your lifestyle, but I would respect you for who you are.

'If you are a decent chap, an honest and hardworking person, your sexual orientation or preference does not affect the way I see you. I would treat you and respect you as another fellow citizen.'

Mr Lim was one of nine PAP backbenchers who devoted at least part of their speech yesterday on the amendments to the Penal Code, to the law against sex between men.

MPs who favoured retaining the law such as Mr Lim, Mr Ong Kian Min (Tampines GRC) and Dr Muhammad Faishal (Marine Parade GRC), argued that most Singaporeans are not ready to accept homosexual acts as a way of life.

They also said the petition to repeal the law has prompted residents in their wards to contact them to express their disapproval and even outrage with it, as well as unease with how the issue might evolve.

The Malay community gave similar feedback, said Dr Faishal.

Mr Ong said the bulk of Singaporeans are not prepared to compromise their family values.

They want to preserve the traditional family unit of a father, a mother and children, at a time when it is threatened by rising divorce rates, single-parent households and work pressure.

'By condoning homosexuality, we are effectively initiating a shift in the definition of the family unit... Singaporeans are simply not ready to change their family values and endorse homosexuality as normal,'' he said.

Madam Cynthia Phua (Aljunied GRC) made a similar call to uphold the traditional family unit and values.

Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC) disagreed with Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong, who had presented the petition, that retaining the law constituted the tyranny of a majority.

'I would be the first to stand up for a gay man's right to be treated as an equal under the law.

'Yet, I am an MP who believes that as a nation, our families are not ready to have an open acceptance of the gay lifestyle, including same-sex marriages and gay adoption of young children.'

This, he said, is 'a matter of principle, not of numbers'.

Gay Singaporeans continue to have their private space here, noted Dr Faishal. 'I do not think the community's rights are being put under the microscope.'

Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC), noting an undercurrent of hostility surrounding the discussion, called for cool heads.

She said: 'I appeal to all interest groups and interested individuals to discuss the issue in a calm and peaceful manner befitting a civil and civilised society.'

chinlian@sph.com.sg

FESTIVE TIME, FIERCE DEBATE

'In addition to the delicious rendang and ketupat, Section 377A became a hot topic of discussion during my Hari Raya visits and gathering.'

DR MUHAMMAD FAISHAL (Marine Parade GRC), on feedback that he received from the Malay community

MOVED BY STORIES

'I have heard the many stories and quotes that Mr Siew Kum Hong has related about homosexuals living in Singapore. It is difficult not to be moved by them.'

MR SEAH KIAN PENG (Marine Parade GRC), on stories that the Nominated MP had recounted in Parliament on Monday

KEEP VALUES INTACT

'Let the family unit not be compromised.'

MR ONG KIAN MIN (Tampines GRC), on how encouraging homosexuality will undermine the traditional family of a father, mother and child.

LET'S HAVE SOME CALM

'I understand that there are disturbing undercurrents of violent hostility surrounding this discussion.'

MADAM HO GEOK CHOO (West Coast GRC), on the need for all parties to discuss the law on sex between men in a calm and peaceful manner