Muslim assemblypersons in the state's transgender committee initiated by Teh Yee Cheu (DAP-Tanjung Bungah) have resigned due to "sensitivities" of the issue.

Teh said he feels no regret and understood the reason behind their action over concerns over the Muslim community’s perception of their involvement in the matter.

"I thank them for their moral support and help even though they are no longer in the committee, there is no regret, I understand their decisions," he told reporters when met at the Penang Legislative Assembly today.

Teh stressed on the “sincerity and hard work” done by the committee to promote human rights of the community, and to ensure protection and safe living conditions for them.

“We will show them our reports and try to convince them that our work is sincere so that they can rejoin our committee”.

The assemblypersons are Jahara Hamid (BN-Teluk Ayer Tawar), Shariful Azhar Othman (BN-Bertam), Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (BN-Sungai Dua), Salleh Man (PAS-Permatang Pasir) and Norlela Ariffin (PKR-Penanti).

Those remaining are Teh himself, Cheah Kah Peng (PKR-Kebun Bunga), Lee Khai Loon (PKR-Machang Bubok) and Lim Siew Khim (DAP-Sungai Pinang).

Teh conceded that it would be a challenge to recruit Malay Muslim elected representatives into the committee, which has been criticised by several quarters like Malay rights NGO Perkasa, which accused it of being “unIslamic”.

Even in Penang, a state that prides itself in being more progressive than others, Teh has cried lack of support when it comes to transgender issues. His request for a fund of RM200,000 was rejected by the state government.

Teh said this after he presented two symposium reports to state executive councillor Chong Eng at the dining hall of the state assembly.

Chong Eng (DAP-Padang Lalang) oversees the youth and sport, women, family and community development committee.

On receiving the reports from Teh, Chong Eng said: “Can I not receive the report? You always put (me) in a difficult position.”

Teh denied having any intention to put Chong Eng on the spot.

“We hope the reports can be tabled at the state executive council meeting, and later admitted to the Penang legislative assembly as a document for reference for lawmakers when drafting laws involving transgenders,” Teh said.

“It is nothing personal towards Chong Eng.”

The symposiums held this year touched on the subject of “Inclusive Healthcare” held on July 28 and “Arrest and Detention of Transgender Persons” on Oct 13, which saw the police, prison personnel and religious authorities coming together to address the issue.

Teh said the next symposium on the issue of public utility is slated for January next year.

He recalled that such reports were part of the transgender committee’s promise when it was launched on May 17.

“This promise was made when Umno, PAS and PKR members were in the committee,” Teh noted.

He said with the two reports, it is hoped that the backbenchers would fight for some allocation for the committee to run its activities.

He is asking for RM50,000 for a start, and expressed hope the assemblypersons would read the reports instead of rejecting them.

“This is about human rights, it is just data and nothing sensitive," Teh added.