A transsexual who was allegedly stripped naked and humiliated by the police has lodged a police report over the incident today.

Mumtaz, 24, lodged the report at the Brickfields police station in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon. She was accompanied by her partner A Ravichandran and a friend.

In an exclusive interview with malaysiakini recently, Mumtaz revealed that she was detained at the Ipoh police station for alleged involvement in prostitution.

She claimed that three male officer have forced her to strip naked in front of them. Her request for female officers to be present were denied.

She also alleged that she faced a barrage of humiliating remarks from the police officers about her body and private part.

At a press conference organised by DAP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok this morning, Mumtaz reiterated that the police should not discriminate against the transsexual community.

"In Malaysia, we said we are already merdeka (independent). But for transsexuals like me I never enjoy the freedom," she said.

Police bullies

Kok described the ill-treatment against Mumtaz as another evidence of blatant police abuse.

"Why do they have to ask her to strip? It only showed that the policemen lack gender sensitivity. Humiliating her in front of the men...they were bullies," she decried.

The MP said Mumtaz's case is akin to the recent controversy surrounding the police treatment of several female Chinese nationals who were allegedly detained, stripped naked and slapped at the Petaling Jaya district headquaters.

Kok also felt that the National Registration Department's refusal to change the gender of transsexuals who have undergone sex-change operations on their identity cards have given opportunities for such abuses.

Treat them fairly

"We should look at issues like this from the human rights and medical perspective. Why must we force them (transsexual) to be someone they don't want to be," she asked.

"If you marginalise them, they can't find employment. This will create more problems," she added.

Present identity cards or myKad states the card holder's gender. Transsexuals who have undergone sex-change operation will normally be allowed to change their names but not the gender.

This has caused difficulties in their daily interactions in the private and public sectors. They are not allowed to purchase health insurance, housing and bank loans as well as facing difficulties in securing employment.

The lastest controversy surrounding transexuals involves the wedding ceremony of Jessie Chung, a transsexual, and her husband Joshua Beh in Kuching which has generated numerous debates.