The Terengganu government will help transgenders who want to change for a better life to undergo various skills training to help them secure a fixed income.

State Communications, Multimedia and Special Functions Committee chairperson Ghazali Taib said it is hoped that through this initiative, transgenders would be brought back to the "right path", brushing aside public perception that they were mostly involved in vices such as prostitution and drug abuse.

“This group will be exposed to a suitable entrepreneurship course. At the initial stage, at least 20 participants will join the course before it is expanded.

“It is the state government’s aspiration to help them to become quality human capital that is capable of contributing to themselves, the community and country,” he told reporters after attending a “Temu Murni” programme with some 100 transgenders from the east coast here yesterday.

A "repentant" transgender from Chabang Tiga who wanted to be only known as Che Mat said the initiative was welcomed by them as many wanted to start anew but did not know the right way to do so.

“We also want the related parties to monitor the activities of my friends to ensure that when they succeed they will become role models to the others,” he said.

- Bernama