KUALA LUMPUR (
Thomson Reuters Foundation-Oscar-
Winning actor George Clooney, who was criticized Tuesday by gay, bisexual and transgender activists, said the boycott of luxury hotels owned by Brunei was a similar backlash that Indonesia and Malaysia consider introducinggay laws.
In the March, Clooney called for a boycott of nine hotels owned by Brunei as the small Southeast Asian country plans to impose the death penalty --
Including stone punishment
Same-sex or adultery with further introduction of Islamic law.
Oil Sudan after strong global protests
Rich countries said last week that they would not be sentenced to death. Appearing on U. S.
Talk show "Alan", "Ocean Eleven" actors discuss resistance and economic pressure after the new laws and U. turn.
"It's not fixed yet. . .
But after this huge step back, it's a big step forward, "Clooney told the show's host, Alan de jernez, on Friday, who also publicly supported the boycott.
"It warned countries like Indonesia and Malaysia --
They are also considering these laws.
Business people, big banks, those guys would say, 'Don't even get into that business '.
But Mr Clooney's comments have sparked strong online opposition as critics and regional gay, bisexual and transgender activists point to significant differences between Brunei and its Islamic neighbors.
"I am calling on George Clooney and Hollywood to listen to and work with local activists and human rights defenders," said Numan Afifi, chairman of the Malaysian LGBT campaign to promote PELANGI, the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
"Local activists have been working on the ground for years, endangering their lives," Afifi said . ".
"His statement, although
It may also have a counter effect on our case.
"The representative of Clooney did not immediately respond to a request for comment via email.
In Asia where sexual relations between men and women are prohibited in Myanmar, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as in Indonesia, social conservatives are prevalent.
The largest Muslim in the world
Most countries-
Recent raids against LGBT people have increased.
Indonesia's most famous gay, bisexual and transgender activist, one of the founders of gay, bisexual and transgender rights group GAYa NUSANTARA, Dede Oetomo, also spoke to Clooney.
"Malaysia and Indonesia are bigger entities and have some democratic processes that play a role despite being imperfect," Oetomo said . ".
"The pressure from within is more likely in both countries, although it is frustrating slow and long.