When Malaysia speaks, the world at large listens. There seems to be an admiration of sorts for this former third world country, now travelling full speed towards becoming a developed nation.

That we have achieved considerable 'physical' success has put the country in good stead. Alas, the same cannot be said of our country's sincerity in making Malaysia a home for one and all.

A case in point is the recent statement by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Jalil who voiced her assurance that the welfare of the mak nyahs or transsexuals in the country would be looked into.

But soon after she justified that there were variables that had to be studied before any step was taken.

Then came the issue of transsexuals who in spite of having undergone sex reassignment surgery (SRS) were denied the right to state their gender on their identity card. A 33 year-old woman who had undergone such surgery failed in her bid to be declared as a man, as it was thrown out by the Ipoh High Court.