Activist: Transgender lot needs help as they can’t get jobs

By FASLIKA DAS

The Star, 20th July 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government’s offer of welfare aid to homosexuals should be extended to the Mak Nyah (transgender) instead.

Pink Triangle Foundation programme director Raymond Tai said most homosexuals were “well-to-do” as they were employed just like “normal people” and would only face discrimination if they were open about their status.

“They are not like the Mak Nyah who are physically different. The Mak Nyah do not get employed and this results in them prostituting themselves,” he said.

“They are the ones deprived of basic privileges such as education and employment, not homosexuals.”

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen had on Wednesday said homosexuals were also eligible for welfare aid and said they could apply for it if they meet the necessary requirements.

Tai said helping the Mak Nyah would help them overcome discrimination.

Foundation advocacy manager Danny Teoh said there were other aspects that needed to be addressed.

He said this included encouraging homosexuals to be brave in talking about their sexual proclivity.

“The public should be aware and understand that sexuality is a personal affair and should be accepted,” he said, adding that only then would homosexuals come forward to ask for help. However, he said expecting a person to be open about his sexual preference was not easy and should be handled properly.

Pang Khee Teik, founder of Gender Genres, a group of writers who write about homosexuality issues, said charity could also be considered a form of discrimination.

“Though it is a well-intentioned move by the ministry, I do not think it would solve the problems faced by the homosexual community.”

He said the Government must address discrimination against homosexuals, adding the money allocated for welfare could be used for campaigns to educate the public on sexual orientation.

Social Welfare Department to search for Malaysians eligible for financial aid

By JOSEPH LOH

The Star, 20th July 2008.

PETALING JAYA: If you know of anyone who is need of welfare aid, please call Talian Nur at 15999.

The Social Welfare Department is actively searching for Malaysians who are eligible for financial aid but have not registered.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen explained that this new initiative, called Projek Cari, was intended to strengthen the department’s network.

“Over the next two months, we will seek and identify all those who are eligible to receive aid (from the department),” she said.

Dr Ng called on everyone to inform the department if they knew of any families living below the poverty line.

“If you know of anyone who is a single mother, or has no income, or is poor, tell us. Call it public social responsibility,” she said.

Categories eligible for aid include the disabled earning below RM1,200, senior citizens above 60 and earning less than RM700 and whose family members are unable support them, and children from households with less than RM700 income.

“They can go to the nearest welfare office and register with us. Our officers will check to see if they qualify for the scheme. It should not take more than a month to process their application,” she said when opening the National Council of Senior Citizens Organisations Malaysia (Nacscom) Old Folks Home in Kota Damansara.

She also noted that grandparents should not be obliged to care for their grandchildren.

“I’m not asking grandparents to not look after their grandchildren, but I believe they should not feel compelled to do so. That would be very sad,” she said.

Nacscom president Datuk Lum Kin Tuck said the home, which could house 20 people, currently had eight residents.

For more information on the home, contact Nacscom at 03-79585794.

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