Dapur Jalanan was one of the recipients of Suaram's 16th Human Rights Award this year for continuing to feed the homeless in Kuala Lumpur despite a ban.

Speaking to Malaysiakini , Dapur Jalanan coordinator Hadi Khalid quipped that he was thankful to the authorities for turning the issue of homelessness into a national issue.

"Honestly, we are thankful to Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and also the Kuala Lumpur mayor for their actions which made this a national issue.

"We would not be where we are if not because of them," Hadi said, adding that Dapur Jalanan was also grateful to Suaram.

The Federal Territories Ministry later agreed to allow soup kitchens to continue to operate, but at designated zones.

Hadi said the NGO would continue to pressure the authorities to consult the community about the issue of homelessness, instead of unilaterally setting up so-called "shelter homes".

The shelter homes, which have been used to house the homeless, have been criticised and likened to detention centres.

Transgender hailed for standing up

Another recipient of the award was the Seremban transgender community.

Justice for Sisters founder S Thilaga, who has been advocating for the transgender community, said she was grateful for the recognition.

"We thank Suaram for the recognition for the transgender community in Negri Sembilan, which has challenged impunity, violence and social norms," Thilaga said.

She said it was a "great honour" for a community that has suffered years of trauma, distress and violence.

The Seremban transgender community won a landmark ruling when the Court of Appeal declared a Negri Sembilan state law criminalising cross-dressing as unconstitutional on Nov 7.

The law, Section 66 of the Syariah Criminal (Negri Sembilan) Enactment 1992, provides punishment of up to six months' jail or RM1,000 fine for cross-dressing.

Concerns over pressure to overturn ruling

The landmark ruling is expected to affect similar enactments in other states and the Negri Sembilan government on Dec 5 filed an application for leave to appeal against the judgment.

Thilaga said the community's lawyers are reviewing the government’s bid to appeal the ruling and may file objections accordingly.

She added that there were concerns about the pressure from several state governments as well as the federal government to overturn the ruling, but warned that the action would have a political cost.

She pointed out an example where the US had imposed sanctions on Uganda for introducing a law against sexual minorities this year.

A notable nominee for the award was the Universiti Malaya Students Association, which this year had been at loggerheads with university authorities over freedom of speech.

The student leadership council in October had persevered in organising a talk by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on campus despite a lock-down.

The student leaders are facing disciplinary action and the threat of expulsion

The winners were announced at a ceremony in conjunction with International Human Rights Day at Publika in Kuala Lumpur this morning.