The time has come to enact laws that would help the transsexual community in the country deal with the various issues facing them, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister Department M. Kayveas said today.

"We have to help them, not segregate or insult them. That's not fair. They could come from your family" he told a press conference at the Parliament's lobby adding that government agencies should not discriminate against the transsexual community.

"They are not outsiders. They are not criminals. It's not their choice to be in-betweens. Born as a boy, girl or transsexual is not our choice. The National Registration Department and other related departments have to be fair with them " he said.

Stressing that transsexuals have human rights just as everybody else has, he suggested the NRD set up special counters to deal with issues related to transsexuals.

"Rather than criticising or insulting them, we should find ways to help them to have normal life like others," said the deputy minister.

Kayveas rebutted claims that helping the community would 'encourage' more people to become transsexuals.

"We cannot encourage someone (to be a transsexual). Or do you want to isolate them in an island? They are part of the society," he said.

Gender change bar

He said the unfriendly treatment from the authorities as well as the public has prohibited transsexuals from having a normal life.

"They do not dare come in the day time as they are scared of the police and the public. They only come out at night. We've to understand their predicament," he said.

Earlier, answering a supplementary question from Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) in the Dewan Rakyat, Kayveas said a committee should be set up to study a specific laws to address the needs of the transsexual community.

Transsexuals have come into the public spotlight recently following the controversial 'wedding ceremony' of Jessie Chung, a transsexual, and her husband Joshua Beh in Kuching which has generated a heated debate among politicians, religious figures and human rights advocates.

Those in the community who have undergone sex-change operations are allowed to change their names but not their gender. This has caused difficulties in their daily interactions with the private and public sectors.

They are, for instance, not allowed to purchase health insurance or apply for housing and bank loans besides facing difficulties in securing employment.