Penang Transgender Committee held its first meeting at the state legislative assembly today after about seven years of lobbying for the committee to be formed.

Led by DAP Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu as the committee's pro-tem chairman, the meeting discussed future activities for the state's transgender community.

Activities will include better welfare for this marginalised community, especially on how individuals are treated in the hospitals and prisons, Teh said.

The committee will also campaign for separate toilets for transgenders, he said.

"I see this as part of the state assembly's reform; we have set a precedence in this struggle," Teh told Malaysiakini.

Teh is pleased that the committee – deemed controversial – has kicked off after seven years of lobbying the top echelon of the Penang government.

"But it's worth it. Seeing this committee becoming a reality is my goal, so I will persist in it," said Teh.

He added that assemblypersons from both the political divide – BN and Pakatan Harapan – support the setting up of the committee.

However, Teh will face a daunting task when he seeks funding for the committee's activities.

"I will write to get funding from the state executive councillors, Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers," Teh said.

The committee's members are Lim Siew Kim (DAP-Sungai Pinang), Cheah Kah Peng (PKR-Kebun Bunga), Norlela Ariffin (PKR-Penanti), Lee Khai Loon (PKR-Machang Bubok), Jahara Hamid (BN-Teluk Ayer Tawar), Shariful Azhar Othman (BN-Bertam) and Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (BN-Sungai Dua).

PAS' sole assemblyperson in Penang, Salleh Man, was also roped in as a member of the committee.

Meanwhile, several members of the transgender community were in the state assembly today.

The individuals, among them members of the NGO Sisters, were guests of Teh.

They distributed media guides, including a list of unfavourable legislations against transgenders to reporters.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said guests of assemblypersons are welcomed to the state assembly.

"It is up to Teh or any elected reps to invite any persons deemed fit to attend the state assembly," Lim added.