Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu scored a first when he announced the appointment of a transgender as his political secretary today.

She is Hazreen Shaik Daud, 33, a diploma holder who formerly worked for the NGO Penang Family Health Development Association.

NONE Popularly known as the 'Green YB' Teh ( right ) is also well known for speaking up on environmental issues, often questioning the state's policies on high rise development.

Teh said he was merely walking the talk after a working committee on transgender issues was greenlighted by both BN and Pakatan representatives at the recent state assembly sitting last week.

He added that the committee, a first in Penang governance, had the support of State Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairperson Chong Eng.

"I am offering the community a platform to express their views and fight for their rights," Teh, who heads the committee, said when contacted today.

Teh first raised the need for the committee in a debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's speech in the state assembly on Jul 4, saying the community was a "discriminated lot".

In the session, Chong Eng said the issue was "sensitive" and the community faced problems in their everyday lives such as which section in the hospital they were to be warded in, and which toilets to use.

Same sex marriage

State opposition leader Jahara Hamid had questioned the matter, asking if this would mean that the state supported same sex marriage.

NONE Jahara ( left ) added that countries such as Thailand and United States of America - where there are open gay communities - did not provide special facilities for the transgender group.

On whether he expects any negative response for his decision, Teh said it was "expected" and that he had already been criticised.

"But it was not so bad. These are from unknown parties, criticising me through Facebook ," he said.

Teh said the job functions and responsibilities of his political secretary were not on transgender issues alone.

"Her job scope is very wide. It includes politics, economy, social, cultural, education, health, human rights and of course, the transgender issue," he added.

On his next plan for the transgender community, Teh said he would be sitting down for a serious discussion with BN and Pakatan assemblypersons to work out a mission and vision for the working committee.

"We want to finalise its scope from the aspect of rights, gender, public health, education, social and culture," he added.

Massive challenges

Malaysia is a Muslim country and transgender people face massive challenges when wanting to undergo sex operations or change their names in their identity cards.

They also face an uphill task in seeking employment as the society at large marginalises them.

Penang FHDA manager Christine Low expressed delight at Hazreen's appointment, saying the NGO had always supported her involvement in the movement.

"We have been advocating for her involvement for some time, getting her to be our member, then getting her to register as a voter, which she finally did," said Low.

Low said the association was working out ways to contribute to the newly formed transgender working committee.

However she said the group had to remain cautious.

"This is in case of a backlash from groups or individuals who want to deceive us, or use our information for political reasons."

Low said their work on transgenders for now would focus more on their health, gender and welfare, and would steer clear of sensitive issues like the legality of sex operations or changes of name.

"We want to stabilise the committee first, we have to work hard to get support for transgender people who face a lot of challenges when it comes to health and welfare," she added.

"Yes, there are many challenges, especially in changing the mindset of  people but it is not impossible," she stressed.

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