Stiff punishment as man goes down for two years (2 years prison term for man who received oral sex)

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | November 22, 2003 | Mark Baker

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Singapore has a hard-earned reputation for probity and moral conservatism. But now it's official: severe punishment awaits those who refuse to lie straight in bed.

A 27-year-old man has been fired from his government job and jailed for two years after being convicted of receiving oral sex from a teenage girlfriend.

Amiss Ballad, formerly a sergeant with the Singapore police coast guard, was convicted under a law which prohibits "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal". The law also makes homosexuality a crime in Singapore and carries a maximum penalty of life in jail.

In a city not famous for dissent, the first prosecution for oral sex in more than six years has sparked indignation in the letters columns of local newspapers, on radio and in internet chat rooms.

"Both Singaporeans and foreigners often joke about Singapore being a 'fine' city, and its ban on chewing gum," Francis Lim wrote to the New Straits Times newspaper. "Is the law against oral sex going to be the next butt of jokes?"

The case has also drawn criticism from Singaporean medical experts. Some estimate that 60 per cent of married couples are nocturnal law-breakers. "Oral sex is part and parcel of intimacy and sex," said Professor Li Man Kay, a urologist and sex therapist at Delineates Hospital.

The public outcry is a setback to government efforts to shed the rosaries image of a country where films and television are subject to clumsy censorship and passe Playboy is still taboo.

The authorities recently legalised bar-top dancing in nightclubs, moved to lift a 20-year ban on Cosmopolitan magazine and promised to allow the screening of Sex and the City (with cuts).

While officials have begun to bend the rules on homosexuality - condoning the employment of gays in the public service but not legalising their sexual orientation - the ban on oral sex remains.

The male recipient of the forbidden favour cops the rap, while the consensual female goes free. And cunnilingus does not register in the prohibition.

After the controversy, government legal officials said the girl was 15 at the time of the offence. But her age was given as 16 - the age of consent - during the trial, and there was no suggestion during the hearings that Ballad had abused a minor.

[martin_fierro]

Don't want to know how one earns this Singaporean Girl Scout pin.

[time4good]

I caught that too. That's sexist! What? Are all the legislature women - or 'smart' men? ;-P

[Fzob]

"Is the law against oral sex going to be the next butt of jokes?"

Man, I know there's a good response to that. Wish I could think of one.

[Mark17]

cunnilingus doesn't register in the ban? cool.

Maybe not, but it is possible that many men will "register the ban" in their own lives, as a means of protest against these dip sticks. Sometimes there are unintended side affects to these kinds of things.

[myrabach]

"I wonder how the government knew this happened?"

Since it was oral sex, do you suppose he talked about it?

[Semper Paratus]

Stiff punishment as man goes down for two years (2 years prison term for man who received oral sex)

The editor missed the irony in the headline.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Sell lots of GS cookies ?

[hunter112]

Actually, its part of their penal codes.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Their version of the "Patriot" Act.

Or in this case, the "Patriot Missile" Act.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Do those Singaporens not know that Clinton ordained that hence forth, Monicarization is not a sex act.Surely they Are not accusing Bill of being a liar.

[Lion Den Dan]

These Chinamen know how to take care of freaks.

[BobS]

But....girls love it! Where are the feminazis?

[5by5]

I hope his girlfriend didn't spit---or she'd be prosecuted jail too!

[Moleman]

No BJ's, this is an "intolerant" nation if I ever saw one.
Since I am a happily married man, I relish the occasional BJ, and further it is a reminder that it's probably time to renew my license :-)

[cyborg]

just damn ping...

[cyborg]

I urge you to get Mrs.Moleman a subscription to Cosmopolitan magazine since that's all they talk about lately...LMAO

[exile]

I really shouldn't post this, but I can't help myself. I am suddenly wondering if my wife is from Singapore. Honey if you're reading this, don't you have some cooking or cleaning to do?

[Moleman]

LOL!!!

[xsrdx]

And cunnilingus does not register in the prohibition

OK, now that's just NOT RIGHT.

[Moleman]

I urge you to get Mrs.Moleman a subscription to Cosmopolitan magazine since that's all they talk about lately...
I should invest in a copy. Although we are expecting a little moleman in a few months