To start off, I have to apologise to the transgender community for remaining extremely quiet on their fight for equality.
When I write of socio-economics and concepts such as social inequality, poverty eradication or even social mobility (the budget even), it tends to dehumanise the not just the struggles of the poor, but also the struggles of the group I have branded as the most discriminated amongst the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
I wish them hearty congratulations on finally winning the right to wear as they want.
Having read the judgment of the constitutional challenge regarding Sharia law regarding transgenders, particularly Section 66 of the Negri Sembilan Sharia Criminal Enactment of 1992, I personally agree with the judges that it is unconstitutional.
To reach such a judgment, the deciding factor highlighted even by the court was the fact that transgenderism is a medical disorder, known as gender identity disorder (GID) which was not refuted by even the Mufti of Negri Sembilan.
It is a brilliant judgment by the learned judges, and honestly, it is an example of how much many Malaysians do not know about the LGBT community, particularly the âTâ as in transgender community.
To summarise, the honoured judges found that the entire section 66 was deemed unconstitutional for those suffering from GID.
For those who have not read the written judgment, I ask them to read it here (http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5475fb1a4.pdf) with open minds and open hearts.
This decision by the learned judges is a landmark one.
That being said, it now goes back to each state and their lawmakers to reconsider whether this law is applicable to men and women suffering from GID, or known better as transgender men and women.
Personally, I would ask the Mentri Besar and Chief Ministers, the state executive councilors, and assemblymen in all states who are reading this to advocate for the total removal of Section 66 and its equivalent in all state sharia criminal enactments to show their solidarity and support not only for the transgender community, but also for the judiciary and upholding the supremacy of the Federal Constitution.
That is, with the respected and august authorisation and blessings of the Council of Rulers, of course.
I say this because for far too long, we have denied them access to proper medical facilities, including hormone treatments and even sex reassignment surgery, which had been made available before the 1990s in our own nation.
For far too long, we have disallowed their freedoms of equal opportunity, particularly in the workforce and education.
For far too long, we have watched them and heard their stories of abuse, discrimination and even deaths without batting an eye or even taking any action to voice our support for them.
For far too long, we have somehow forgotten that Malaysia in the past was once a nation that accepted everyone as they are, including the transgenders.
This is no longer a religious issue as proven by the constitutional challenge and verdict, but a medical one which requires Malaysian acceptance from those who believe in the supremacy of the Federal Constitution as it is.
More needs to be done for the transgender community, and all I am doing is just writing this simple letter to ask Malaysian society to once again accept our own people for who they are, to allow them to be as much as they can and to contribute as they should be allowed to without legalising prejudice and stigma by anyone.
Once again, I personally apologise, and congratulate them and the learned judges on their monumental step forward.
Hafidz Baharom
Thu Jan 22 2015
The deciding factor highlighted even by the court was the fact that transgenderism is a medical disorder, known as gender identity disorder (GID) which was not refuted by even the Mufti of Negri Sembilan. - File Photo
Letupan bom Sungai Golok: Empat anggota keselamatan Thailand cedera
Empat anggota keselamatan Thailand cedera apabila terkena letupan bom di Sungai Golok, Thailand, malam tadi.
Berang tidak bantu angkat tong gas, penghantar barang dibelasah, motosikal dirosakkan
Suspek menyerang mangsa dengan topi keledar sehingga menyebabkan mangsa mengalami kecederaan di dahi.
Arahan tutup pasar malam waktu Maghrib tidak babitkan peniaga bukan Islam
Arahan penutupan sementara hanya membabitkan peniaga Islam bagaimanapun turut menggalakkan peniaga bukan Islam sekiranya mahu berbuat demikian.
Pelan Tindakan Pendidikan dan Penghayatan Rukun Negara dilancar Ogos ini - Aaron
Ia melibatkan Kementerian Perpaduan Negara, Kementerian Pendidikan, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, dan Kementerian Komunikasi.
Peserta maraton Cyberjaya dipapah lepasi garisan penamat
Peserta maraton rebah di garisan penamat sejurus sebelum menamatkan larian 42km dalam perlumbaan Twincity Marathon Cyberjaya.
Proton buka pusat penyelidikan dan pembangunan di Teluk Hangzhou, China
Pembukaan pusat R&D itu akan meningkatkan sinergi kecekapan dalaman mereka dengan penggunaan sumber dan pengetahuan Geely.
AWANI Ringkas: Wujudkan akta lindungi pekerja OKU/autistik
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: Calon PH tayang sijil UPSR 7A, SPM 10A
Calon PH, Pang Sock Tao menyahut cabaran Ketua Penerangan Pas, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari supaya menunjukkan kelulusan pendidikan rendah dan menengahnya.
AWANI Ringkas: Wujudkan akta lindungi pekerja OKU/autistik
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Isu stoking: Pengarah KK Mart, isteri akan kemuka representasi kepada AGC
Pengarah KK Mart yang berdepan dua pertuduhan melukakan perasaan orang Islam dalam isu berkaitan penjualan stoking tertera kalimah Allah akan mengemukakan representasi kepada Jabatan Peguam Negara.