There is no particular agency under any ministry, including the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, that handles issues concerning transsexuals.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today said she is not sure who should be responsible for transsexuals, known locally as mak nyah, as there were many grey areas concerning the issue.

However, she stressed that her ministry would look into their grouses and problems on an individual basis.

"To be honest, we are not sure who should handle this matter but if there's any individual who faces problems, they can come and see me, not to worry," she said in response to a question at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Identity card woes

On the difficulties encountered by transsexuals who have undergone sex change surgery but not allowed to change their gender status on their identity cards, Shahrizat said she will raise the matter with the National Registration Department.

"This is a new and grey area, we can highlight the matter (identity card) and we hope they (the National Registration Department) will pick up the matter," she added.

Meanwhile, director-general of the Social Welfare Department Shamsiah Abdul Rahman, who was also present at the press conference, said her department will start to look into matters concerning transsexuals.

She said the department had picked up necessary information regarding transsexuals during a discussion about them at the 31st International Conference on Social Welfare in Kuala Lumpur, which ended yesterday.

The government previously revealed that there are 10,000 transsexuals in the country. However, no support group has been formed to aid them.