Does Penang's gender inclusive programmes include transgenders, asks BN rep
A BN assemblyperson asked a rare question today: will transgenders be considered for state government development projects, since Penang wants to promote gender inclusiveness in all sectors in the state?
It is rare as the issue of transgender is considered taboo for Malay Muslims, who do not recognise the community’s existence in the country.
Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor asked if the state’s gender equality policy applies to only men and women, or would it consider transgenders as well...
A BN assemblyperson asked a rare question today: will transgenders be considered for state government development projects, since Penang wants to promote gender inclusiveness in all sectors in the state?
It is rare as the issue of transgender is considered taboo for Malay Muslims, who do not recognise the community’s existence in the country.
Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (photo, above), who is the state opposition leader, asked if the state’s gender equality policy applies to only men and women, or whether transgenders would be considered as well.
“This issue was raised by the former Tanjong Bungah assemblyperson (Teh Yee Cheu), that only two (men and women) genders should be considered,” Muhamad Yusoff said, during the Question and Answer session at the Penang Legislative Assembly today.
Teh, DAP’s former two-term assemblyperson, was in the forefront promoting transgender rights in the state assembly, although his proposal did not take off.
State executive councillor Chong Eng (above), thanked the BN representative for supporting gender inclusiveness.
But the policy, she said, applies to only men and women.
“The focus now is on gender balance and whether there is gender inclusiveness for men and women in all programmes and projects of the state government,” said the Padang Lalang assemblyperson, who oversees women and family development, gender inclusiveness and non-Islamic religious affairs.
“If men are lacking in the programmes or projects, we will give them some incentives to attend; likewise, when women's participation is lacking in the event, we will also provide some incentives to ensure there is gender balance and inclusiveness in all our activities,” Chong added.
Today is the second day of the first meeting of the second term of the 14th Penang State Legislative Assembly, presided by speaker Law Choo Kiang.
The House observed a minute of silence this morning for departed assemblypersons - Khoo Teng Chye (Paya Terubong) and Goh Cheng Teik (Sungai Bakap).
Khoo was Gerakan assemblyperson for Paya Terubong from 1974 to 1978. He died on Nov 28 last year.
Goh was Gerakan Sungai Bakap assemblyperson and state executive councillor from 1989 to 1995. He died on March 12.
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