Penang gets a major thumbs up from the Lipstiq team now that a transgender has been engaged to assist Teh Yee Cheu to oversee the transgender community’s welfare, after the proposal was tabled and approved in the State Assembly last week.
The transgender committee will be formed in two months, and aims to collect data and alleviate the status and social stigma associated with the transgender community. Some of their activities will include public forums to spread awareness on the issue.
Teh is the Tanjung Bungah representative, and heads the panel with the support of both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional representatives, including State opposition leader, Jahara Hamid.
“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, Teh 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.
“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.
First off, hooray for Penang and making the state more diverse. It’s good to know that everyone has a place in Malaysia!
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