Transgender Symposium: Arrest and Detention

From left: Ms Chinta, ASP Riza, YB Lee Khai Loon, YB Teh Yee Cheu, Zulfakri, Ustaz Khairol

TG Symposium: Arrest and Detention

Transgenders fear harassment during arrest and detention, and a symposium organised by the Transgender Committee set up by the State Assembly of Penang brought both transgenders and the authorities together to discuss the situation. Also involved in the organising of this event was Justice for Sisters, SUARAM Penang and PACA.

Documented stories of how transgenders are being mistreated and ostracised by the authorities are plenty, and there should be policies and guidelines to resolve this issue. State Assemblyman for Tanjong Bunga, YB Teh Yee Cheu requested that the authorities invite a transgender to be present during body checks, to which the police replied that the suggestion will be forwarded to her superiors.

According to the Assistant Superintendant Rizatulmi Haizaran Binti Samat from the police forces’ sexual harassment department, five transgenders were detained so far this year, of which, 3 were foreigners and 2 were Malaysians. Detainees are separated in lock-ups according to their assigned gender registered on their identification cards. Presently, transgender women who are detained by the police are listed under the category known as ‘Mak Nyah’.

“Problems arise when the police need to make body checks,” she said. “Men are frisked by men officers, and women by the women officers.

“However, when a transgender is involved, and especially when sexual reassignment procedures are not complete… for instance, when the top resembles a woman, and the bottom remains a man, then the woman officer will be traumatised,” Riza explained.

The Department of Islamic Affairs in Penang (JAIPP) also gave an overview of the procedures during arrests. Ustaz Khairol Azman revealed that 10 transgenders were arrested this year by JAIPP.

“Our department arrests transgenders based on three criteria of the Syariah Law enacted in 1996. Usually, we act upon receiving complaints, prior observations and investigations.

“Transgenders are arrested if these conditions are fulfilled – that these men are cross-dressing, that they are in a public area, and that they are doing something immoral,” Ustaz Khairol Azman said.

When pressed for a definition of what immoral meant, Ustaz Khairol clarified that carrying condoms was considered as proof. He did mention however, that in Penang, unlike in other states, cross-dressing was not a major offence and that transgenders who are simply going about their daily routine should have nothing to fear.

ASP Riza also gave assured the transgenders that reports made against police officers who ill-treated the community would be taken seriously by the police force.

Both the religious department and police force may only detain their prisoners for up to 24 hours before producing them to the magistrate for further action. The statistics for the number of transgenders detained in 2016 differs from the statistics produced by Ms. Chinta Ardieyana, the president of PACA, an NGO actively involved in transgender rights.

Deputy Enforcer for the Prison Department of Penang, Zulfakri bin Ahmad was also present to brief the audience on the conditions of the Penang Prison. Presently, transgenders are placed separately from the men prisoners.

“This is to ensure the transgenders’ safety,” he said.

This symposium was attended by Penang State Assemblymen YB Teh Yee Cheu and YB Lee Khai Loon, Polis DiRaja Malaysia, Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Pulau Pinang, UNAIDS (United Nations), MAC, ATPN and Penang Legal Aid Council (LAC).

A time to understand human rights: Human Rights Day on 10 Dec

A time to understand human rights: Human Rights Day on 10 Dec
Malaysia is still rated fairly free despite fall in Human Development Index ranking.

Reuters

The existence of a Human Rights Day ironically translates into an apparent lack of human rights in the world, even with laws which are supposedly meant to protect the innocent.

In 1950, the United Nations General Assembly declared 10 December as Human Rights Day. It has been twenty years since 1993, when a mandate of High Commissioner was created for the promotion and protection of all human rights during the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna the same year.

Furthermore, Women’s Rights are now acknowledged as a fundamental human right. Discrimination and acts of violence against women are at the forefront of the human rights discourse.

Human rights cover a wide range of issues including access to basic necessities, equality, life and the right to tell the truth. In the Universal Declaration of Human the first and second article states that:

1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood;
2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Human Rights in Malaysia

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in a survey done under Human Development Index (HDI), Malaysia has backslidden in its ranking, from 61st place in 2011 to 64th place out of 187 countries in 2013.

Two massive rallies, dubbed Bersih 2.0 and Bersih 3.0, held on 9 July 2011 and 28 April 2012 respectively attributed to the drop in the HDI ranking. Bersih is the Malaysian acronym for Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, and aims to promote free and fair elections in Malaysia. During Bersih 2.0, over 1600 protesters were arrested while over 500 protesters were similarly detained for Bersih 3.0. Riot police also used tear gas and water cannons on protesters at both rallies.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), a human rights organisation in Malaysia, is still actively pursuing the case of the Defence Ministry’s controversial Scorpene submarine purchase through the French court. The world still mourns the death of a central figure in the Scorpene deal - Altantuya Shaariibuugin, who was blown up with C4 explosives in 2006 and her immigration records erased.

Another blatant violation of human rights in Malaysia is the rape of indigenous Penan women in Sarawak. Workers of a large timber conglomerate had been constantly harassing the local women, but there has no action taken against them, even though the incidents were broadly publicised.

Do laws protect or are they used to prosecute and silence the victims?

In Malaysia, the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allowed for detention without trial was replaced with the Security Offences (Special Measures) 2012 Act (SOSMA). SOSMA and the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) which replaces Section 27 of the Police Act have been criticised as being even more draconian and restrictive.

The officially endorsed policy of preferential treatment towards the majority practised in Malaysia is another instance of human rights violation, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Any attempts to question or discuss the matter will be dealt with by the Sedition Act or the Printing Presses and Publication Act.

Even Christians in the country are not spared. A recent ban on the use of the Arabic word ‘Allah’ by Christians created international headlines and much negative publicity.

Ops Lallang, an operation carried out in 1987 saw a total of 106 people arrested under the ISA. Forty people were detained without trial for two years and sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre. These people included political figures, social activists and individuals. Two daily newspapers, The Star and Sin Chew Jit Poh had their publishing licences revoked for a period of time.

Custodial deaths and the licence to kill

According to SUARAM, there have been 12 custodial deaths alone this year. Two other high-profile deaths were Teoh Beng Hock and Gunasegaran who died the same day – 16 July 2009.

When Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said, “I think the best way is not to compromise with them, don’t give anymore warnings to them, [if] we have evidence, we [will] shoot first”, it created a furore among right-thinking Malaysians.

With such a statement, Ahmad Zahid has displayed a lack of understanding about the rule of law.

Your right is just as much my right

Just a few days ago, an UMNO division head asked for the 1Malaysia slogan to be changed to 1Melayu during the party’s General Assembly. Such blatantly racist statements are nothing new in Malaysia. Even former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has claimed the minorities face systematic marginalization in Malaysia.

It is bizarre how a human can treat another human with so much contempt, and this plainly justifies the existence of something like Human Rights Day. Laws are written by men, but some men manipulate the law to favour the rich and influential. Can we then blame the 47% who voted the present government into power?

While most would frown upon giving out election goodies and rightfully view it as a form of vote-buying, the Prime Minister has been quoted as saying ‘you help me, I help you’ during a state election campaign in Sarawak in 2011.

It comes as no surprise at all that immediately after the General Election and heavy spending, the prices of all essential goods shot up, due to a hike in petrol prices, the removal of the sugar subsidy and a rise in electricity tariffs. To add insult to injury, an impending Goods and Service Tax of 6% will be imposed from April 2015.

Inflation affects the livelihood and affordability of the average wage earner. Although a moderate inflation rate is healthy for the country’s economy, knee-jerk changes to the country’s fiscal policies will create shock and unrest. To make things worse, the Prime Minister’s wife, who apparently obtained the cabinet’s approval to represent the country for official visits using the country’s jet plane, has displayed spendthrift ways unbecoming of someone in her position.

How UMNO equates itself with the great Nelson Mandela who passed away on 6 December this year is yet another mind-boggling claim. One fights for human rights, while the other fights against it. One helped in the removal of the noxious apartheid policy, while the other promotes superiority of a certain race.

Facts are indeed stranger than fiction.

So what are Human Rights? Human Rights are the ability to treat another fellow human being with goodwill and mutual respect to achieve peace and unity. In Malaysia, with things as they are now, that ideal scenario is a long time coming. Until then, we still need Human Rights Day.

** Article published in MSN Malaysia

Penang State backbencher employs first transgender

Link to MSN news

Seen as yet another first for Penang and perhaps Malaysia, a transgender has been engaged to assist Teh Yee Cheu oversee the transgender community’s welfare, after the proposal was tabled and approved in the State Assembly last week.

Teh who is the Tanjung Bungah representative, heads the panel with the support of both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan National representatives, including State opposition leader, Jahara Hamid.

The committee, set to be formed within two months, aims to collect data and alleviate the status and social stigma associated with the transgender community. The committee plans to also conduct forums and spread public awareness on the issue.

“…they have rights over their bodies, and have a right to decide what gender they are most comfortable with,” said Teh.

At a press conference today (10/7/13), Teh, who proudly claims to walk the talk, announced that he had engaged transgender Hazreen Shaik Daud as his political secretary.

“I am thankful to YB Teh for giving me the opportunity to work with him,” said Hazreen, a 33 year old diploma holder who speaks fluent Mandarin and English besides the national language. Hazreen is expected to assume duties on July 15 and had previously worked for an NGO known as the Penang Family Health Development.

The demure and pretty ‘lady’ revealed her concerns over employment opportunities available to the transgender.

“Even with qualifications, we are turned down just because of how we look,” she said, adding that she would eventually want to operate her own boutique.

An edict, issued by the Fatwa Committee National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia held on 13th December 1989, had declared that sex change was prohibited under the Shariah. According to Chong Eng, facilitator to the committee who also holds the State EXCO portfolio for Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development claims that there are between 10 and 50 thousand transgender persons in Malaysia.

Gender is actually not the issue – it is the segregation of gender that makes gender the issue. Gender in our society have, till recently, been plainly categorized as male and female, and though the transgender community have been seeking legal redress in terms of recognition and status, the struggle against age-old conformities are nothing short of an arduous task.

Among the top agendas of the transgender welfare committee are to seek better accessibility for transgender persons in terms of basic needs like accessibilities to healthcare, employment and to provide equal treatment to persons with gender disagreements at public places such as schools, hospitals and detention centres.

‘Mak Nyahs’ as they are commonly termed refers to a transgender who was born a male but identifies himself more as a woman. Presently, Mak Nyahs or pondans, another derogatory term, have trouble seeking employment, are still scorned at by the society by large and even unaccepted by parents.

‘If my son was a pondan, I would beat him to death’ is the response of many fathers whose sons are considered soft.

In 2011, boys with effeminate tendencies were sent to a four day behavioural camp in Besut, Trengganu in an effort to ‘toughen’ them up.

In contrast, other countries have begun a larger acceptance of the LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender) community with even some religious leaders, celebrities and politicians coming out of the closet to proclaim their sexual orientation and preferences.

Take the example of the recently concluded decision of the Washington Supreme Court. Two cases were ruled on the same day in favour of gay marriages and the constitutional rights of same-sex marriages.  The liberal stance of the US court may have an impact on the overall perception and tolerance towards LGBT.

Although Malaysia may still be considerably homophobic and reluctant to address the transgender and LGBT issues, the fact remain that such people exist and should be accorded proper and equal rights. As what the late Neil Armstrong said, this is one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Penang has given new hope to the discriminated.

KENYATAAN AKHBAR KONGRES MELAYU PULAU PINANG on Demonstrasi Jalanan

KENYATAAN AKHBAR KONGRES MELAYU PULAU PINANG, (KMPP)

DEMONSTRASI JALANAN - KMPP KECAM TINDAKAN EZAM MOHD NOOR

KMPP mengencam tindakan Mohamed Ezam Mohamed Noor yang menjadi dalang utama dalam demonstrasi.

Seperti mana yang dilaporkan oleh beberapa media cetak dan elektronik tempatan di mana Dato Musa Shaikh Fadzir yang juga Timbalan Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Pulau Pinang dan merangkap Ketua UMNO Bahagian Bukit Mertajam telah mengkritik secara terbuka Pentadbiran UDA Holdings Berhad yang kononnya akan melantik kontraktor dari luar Negara serta mengabaikan kontraktor tempatan untuk memajukan projek gergasi iaitu Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) yang mana dianggarkan melebihi 6 billion Ringgit. Beliau juga mensarankan supaya operasi UDA Holdings Berhad ditutup. Akibat daripada kenyataan beliau ini telah menyebabkan hampir 1,400 orang kakitangan Syarikat milik kerajaan pusat ini berada di dalam situasi panik. Pihak KMPP memandang serius kenyataan beliau. Jangan pandai membuat andaian tanpa usul periksa kerana Pengerusinya Dato Nur Jazlan telah mengesahkan bahawa pengumuman rasmi hanya akan dibuat oleh Kerajaan dalam sedikit masa lagi. Pihak KMPP hairan apakah motif sebenarnya yang tersirat terhadap kritikan beliau.


Pihak KMPP ingin menasihatkan beliau supaya lebih fokus kepada masalah ekonomi orang–orang Melayu terutamanya dikawasan Bukit Mertajam dimana beliau adalah Ketua bahagiannya. Jangan hanya nampak kuman diseberang laut tapi hakikatnya anak dirumah mati kebuluran. Orang melayu Pulau Pinang masih tidak lupa suatu ketika dahulu semasa era pemerintahan Barisan Nasional di Pulau Pinang, siapakah yang berhasrat memajukan tanah pertanian di Relau disebelah Pulau, walaupun mengetahui tanah pertanian tersebut adalah milik Kerajaan Pusat. Nasib baik pembangunan tersebut dibatalkan. Jika tidak berapa banyakkah faedah orang-orang Melayu yang akan mendapat faedah keatas pembangunan tersebut? Siapakah yang pernah mencadangkan agar jawatan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang diberikan kepada Orang Melayu dan beliau jugalah yang pernah mencadangkan supaya jawatan pengerusi PBA diberikan kepada pemimpin Melayu. Apakah asas serta cadangan beliau menguntungkan orang-orang Melayu pada ketika itu? Kenapa cadangan beliau ini diutarakan? Sudah pasti ada agenda yang tersembunyi disebalik cadangan beliau pada ketika itu.




Seterusnya pihak KMPP amat memandang serius keatas nasib pemilik-pemilik gerai di BAZAR PERDANA DI BANDAR PERDA, BUKIT MERTAJAM. Beliau adalah salah seorang pemilik syarikat pemaju yang terlibat didalam memajukan Bandar Perda tersebut. Bazar Perdana yang dimaksudkan mempunyai lebih daripada 300 unit dan difahamkan dijual diantara RM15,000.00 ke RM20,000.00 seunit. Diantara penjanjian terawal ditandatangani adalah semenjak tahun 1998. Difahamkan sijil penghunian diperolehi semenjak tahun 2003 lagi. Semua unit-unit telah habis dijual dimana lebih 80% pembelinya adalah orang-orang melayu yang mempercayai pelan asal pembangunan pemaju di Bandar Perda dilengkapi pasar besar Bukit Mertajam serta perhentian bas yang akan dipindahkan ke Bandar Perda. Malangnya tanah bagi memindahkan kemudahan pasar serta perhentian bas telah dibangunkan Pasaraya Jusco. Maka dengan itu, bermulalah kegagalan Bazaar Perdana untuk berfungsi seperti pelan asal pemaju. Kini bangunan Bazaar Perdana tersebut hanyalah sebuah bangunan gajah putih yang tersergam indah tanpa penghuni. Dari tinjauan pihak KMPP, banyak rungutan daripada pihak pembeli mengatakan bahawa mereka telah ditipu oleh pihak pemaju. Paling menyedihkan, terdapat beberapa unit milik pembeli kepunyaan orang melayu telah dilelong oleh pihak bank kerana tidak mampu membayar pinjaman akibat kegagalan pihak pemaju mengawalselia Bazar Perdana berkenaan.


Hakikatnya pihak pemaju yang di terajui oleh Dato’ Musa sendiri telah gagal untuk menguruskan bazaar tersebut dan pihak KMPP dimaklumkan bahawa tiada hakmilik strata yang dikeluarkan sehingga kini. Akibat daripada kecuaian tersebut sekarang ini pemilik-pemilik bazaar berkenaan menanggung kerugian dari segi ekonomi yang berpanjangan. Pemaju haruslah di pertanggung jawabkan sepenuhnya kerana gagal menguruskan bazaar berkenaan. Pemaju telah mengaut keuntungan tapi yang menanggung kerugian adalah majoritinya orang-orang melayu. Jangan jadi seorang pemimpin melayu yang hipokrit dan pihak KMPP mendesak agar pihak beliau supaya dapat mengatasi masalah yang berlarutan hampir 9 tahun ini diselesaikan dalam tempoh 30 hari. Jika gagal, atas nama ekonomi orang-orang melayu, pihak KMPP akan bertindak mengikut saluran-saluran tertentu dengan niat untuk menghidupkan kembali aktiviti-aktiviti perniagaan di bazaar tersebut. Ini termasuk juga kemungkinan mengambil tindakan undang-undang bagi mendapatkan gantirugi kepada pemilik-pemilik berkenaan berasaskan kepada terma dan syarat perjanjian jualbeli terutamanya melibatkan kecuaian pihak pemaju. Pada waktu yang sama pihak KMPP berharap agar pemilik bazaar berkenaan dapat menubuhkan satu Jawatankuasa Bertindak Pembeli bagi tujuan memudahkan masalah mereka disuarakan.


Pihak KMPP akan memberi kerjasama jika diperlukan. Sekali lagi ditegaskan bahawa KMPP tidak akan berkompromi dengan mana-mana pihak, termasuk Kerajaan negeri atau kerajaan pusat mahupun parti-parti politik atas isu kegagalan menangani masalah ekonomi orang-orang melayu di Pulau Pinang.


Jangan memperalatkan orang-orang melayu Pulau Pinang untuk meraih publisiti murahan. KMPP akan terus membongkar semua penyelewengan yang melibatkan ekonomi orang-orang Melayu yang tidak diperjuangkan selama ini. Ramai orang melayu yang bukan asalnya daripada Pulau Pinang mendabik dada mengaku diri mereka anak Pulau Pinang, tetapi hakikatnya mereka adalah opurtunis yang lebih mementingkan diri mereka dan kuncu-kuncu mereka sahaja.


Mereka menuntut bantuan dan projek dari pihak atasan, Kerajaan Negeri atau Kerajaan Pusat kononnya untuk menolong orang melayu Pulau Pinang. Sebenarnya projek dan bantuan tersebut adalah ditelan segelintir melayu yang menggunakan nama melayu Pulau Pinang. Pihak Kerajaan Negeri dan Kerajaan Pusat patut berhati-hati apabila ingin membantu Melayu Pulau Pinang kerana hakikatnya mereka ini opurtunis yang merugikan bangsa Melayu.


Akhir sekali pihak KMPP menasihatkan Dato Musa Shaikh Fadzil supaya melepaskan kesemua jawatannya di dalam UMNO Pulau Pinang kerana beliau telah gagal dalam banyak hal terutamanya di dalam membantu ekonomi untuk orang-orang melayu di Bukit Mertajam dan Pulau Pinang amnya.


KONGRES MELAYU PULAU PINANG




………………………………
RAHMAD ISAHAK
PRESIDEN, (019-4728509)

Aru speaks about PSM detainees

S.Arutchelvan, the Secretary-General of Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) was at Penang High Court 3 today. An application was made for a judicial revision to the seven days remand. The decision will be announced tomorrow.

Thirty PSM members were detained on 25th June under Section 122 of the Penal Code for allegedly waging a war against the Agong. Among those arrested were the elderly, women, two seventeen year old students, a teacher and an MP.