MEDIA STATEMENT: END DEHUMANISATION OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

Justice for Sisters (JFS) criticises the recent arrest of five trans women in Ipoh under the state syariah law in an “op cegah pondan”. The incident is just the latest in a growing trend of raids targeting LGBTIQ people in Malaysia. The raid further reflects a worrying disregard for basic human rights and dignity, in addition to the impunity with which the state Islamic department continues to conduct their activities. 

“The name of the operation is extremely disrespectful, dehumanising, and reflects the state’s profound prejudice and misunderstanding of gender identity. There is an abundance of scientific evidence that confirms the normalcy of trans people – they do not need to be changed, prevented, or criminalised. When the state not only targets but tries to ‘curb’ a group based on their identity that is a serious cause for concern,” says JFS co-founder thilaga sulathireh. 

The state Islamic department’s actions are supposed to uphold the Islamic principles of peace, dignity, respect, well-being, and inclusivity. Instead, all the public sees is constant harassment and abuse, which reflect poorly on the practice of the religion in the country. 

Further, the operation, and the attitude of Islamic department, underscore the stark contrast in how gender identities are treated across geographical boundaries. While Thailand is making notable progress toward inclusive policies, trans women in Malaysia, regardless of their citizenship, continue to be unjustly targeted and systematically marginalised by state laws. 

The media’s role in perpetuating prejudice 

We are alarmed at how the media failed to report this issue critically. The uncritical, almost verbatim reporting served to only amplify the state’s prejudice, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and encouraging violence against transgender people, instead of challenging the position. As of 8 December, a total of 10 publications (eight Bahasa Malaysia, two English) published or republished the news, in addition to two social media platforms.  

“We urge the media to resist normalising the use of derogatory language against trans women, which only serves to further marginalise and demean them,” says thilaga.  

We call for an end to raids and activities that criminalise and dehumanise transgender people, as both represent gross violations of human rights and dignity. We maintain that respect and understanding of gender identity is essential for a truly inclusive and fair society, and urge the media to take decisive responsibility in dismantling discriminatory language and practices. 

Kenyataan Media: Henti Pembinaan Pusat Pemulihan Johor Menyasarkan LGBT dan Minorti Agama Memandangkan Impak Negatif Jelas Terhadap Hak Asasi Manusia

Justice for Sisters (JFS) menyeru semakan segera dilakukan terhadap rancangan kerajaan negeri Johor untuk membina pusat pemulihan yang menyasarkan golongan LGBT dan individu yang dianggap “terpesong akidah” menjelang Julai 2024. 

Menurut kenyataan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Johor, Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid  pada 29 November, sebanyak RM400,000 telah diperuntukan untuk pembinaan pusat ini. Hal ini menimbulkan kebimbangan serius terhadap potensi pelanggaran hak asasi manusia, termasuklah hak kesaksamaan dan bebas diskriminasi, privasi, hidup dengan martabat diri serta bebas daripada penyeksaan. 

“Menahan seseorang bagi mengubah orientasi seksual, identiti gender dan ekspresi gender (SOGIE) mereka tidak dapat dinafikan merupakan satu bentuk penyeksaan,” kata pengasas bersama JFS, thilaga sulathireh. 

Pelanggaran Perlembagaan Persekutuan 

Penjenayahan individu LGBTQ di Malaysia mendayakan pembinaan pusat pemulihan ini. Penjenayahan ini membawa kesan menyeluruh terhadap seluruh aspek kehidupan dan meningkatkan lagi  kerentanan kumpulan minoriti ini terhadap keganasan oleh institusi negara, termasuk inisiatif pemulihan seumpama ini. 

Walaubagaimanapun, adalah sangat penting untuk ambil maklum  bahawa penjenayahan dan sebarang bentuk usaha untuk mengubah SOGIE seseorang individu LGBTQ merupakan pelanggaran hak asasi manusia yang dilindungi oleh Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia dan undang-undang hak asasi manusia antarabangsa. 

Pembinaan pusat pemulihan ini secara langsung bercanggah dengan Artikel 5 Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia yang melindungi kebebasan peribadi, privasi, dan maruah warganegara Malaysia. Selain itu, ia juga melanggar Artikel 8 yang melindungi kesaksamaan di sisi undang-undang dan melarang diskriminasi atas dasar gender. 

Tambahan pula, Mahkamah Persekutuan dalam semakan semula keberperlembagaan Seksyen 28 Enakmen Kesalahan Jenayah Syariah Selangor yang menjenayahkan “persetubuhan bertentangan hukum tabii”, mendapati undang-undang tersebut tidak berperlembagaan kerana penggubalan undang-undang tersebut melangkaui bidang kuasa yang diperuntukkan kepada kerajaan negeri dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Keputusan ini terpakai kepada  semua undang-undang negeri yang serupa. Oleh yang demikian, semua undang-undang liwat, persetubuhan bertentangan hukum tabii, dan juga musahaqah tidak mempunyai kesan perundangan yang sah, walaupun ia masih terkandung dalam enakmen syariah negeri. 

Oleh itu, penangkapan  pengenaan hukuman denda, penjara, dan program pemulihan sesiapa di bawah undang-undang ini melanggar pelbagai peruntukan dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan, tidak terhad kepada Bahagian 2 Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang melindungi hak asasi manusia.

Sebagai pihak kepada  Konvensyen Penghapusan Segala Bentuk Diskriminasi Terhadap Wanita (CEDAW), Malaysia mempunyai tanggungjawab untuk memastikan bahawa tiada undang-undang atau amalan yang menggalakkan diskriminasi terhadap wanita dalam segala bidang. Pada tahun 2018, Jawatankuasa CEDAW menyeru Malaysia untuk tidak hanya meminda semua undang-undang yang mendiskriminasi wanita LBTI, termasuk peruntukan dalam Kanun Keseksaan dan undang-undang Syariah yang memjenayahkan hubungan seks antara perempuan, tetapi juga untuk menghentikan langkah-langkah yang bertujuan untuk ‘memperbetulkan’ atau ‘memulihkan’ seseorang LGBTI. 

Lebih banyak kemudaratan daripada manfaat 

Organisasi perubatan dan hak asasi manusia antarabangsa telah menyangkal dan mengutuk amalan pengubahan LGBT (conversion practices) ini kerana ia tidak mempunyai asas saintifik, malah tidak beretika dan menjejaskan kesejahteraan fizikal, mental dan emosi individu yang terlibat. Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) dan Pertubuhan Kesihatan Pan Amerika (PAHO) adalah antara badan-badan yang telah menyeru untuk melarangkan amalan pengubahan dan menekankan peranan media dalam usaha mendedahkan amalan ini untuk menggalakkan penghormatan terhadap kepelbagaian SOGIE. 

“Menurut tinjauan kami dengan individu LGBTQ di Malaysia, amalan pengubahan ini membawa kesan jangka panjang yang teruk, termasuk kesan negatif terhadap  kesihatan mental, berhenti bersekolah dan fikiran dan percubaan bunuh diri,” kata thilaga. 

JFS bimbang usaha-usaha yang diterajui pihak kerajaan ini akan melonjakkan defisit kepercayaan dalam institusi awam serta mewujudkan lebih banyak halangan bagi golongan LGBTIQ untuk mengakses keadilan dan perkhidmatan kesihatan, kerana perasaan risau mereka akan dilaporkan serta dihantar ke pusat pemulihan atau dipaksa menjalani amalan pengubahan SOGIE yang lain. 

Tinjauan JFS dan kumpulan lain pada tahun 2023 yang melibatkan 156 responden mendapati bahawa sebanyak 66% (103) menghadapi tekanan untuk menukar SOGIE mereka, manakala 10.9% (17) pernah ditawarkan usaha amalan pengubahan SOGIE. Daripada 17 responden ini, 12 (70.6%) beragama Islam, dan 11 (64.7%) mengenal pasti diri mereka sebagai transgender atau tidak binari. 

Penyelidikan SUHAKAM mendapati bahawa 18% responden trans dan interseks melaporkan bahawa ketika mereka menerima perkhidmatan kesihatan, pakar penjagaan kesihatan telah mencadangkan agama atau bentuk terapi lain untuk “merawat” identiti gender mereka. Penyelidikan yang sama juga mendapati bahawa 15% responden telah dipaksa untuk dihantar kepada pakar kesihatan mental untuk SOGIE mereka, dan 9% telah dipaksa untuk berunding dengan pihak berkuasa agama. 

Cadangan Utama 

JFS menyeru pihak kerajaan negeri Johor untuk menghentikan rancangan pembinaan pusat pemulihan ini. Kami juga menyeru untuk SUHAKAM, sebagai institusi hak asasi manusia negara, untuk berhubung dengan kerajaan negeri Johor untuk menyemak semula  rancangan mereka yang pasti mendatangkan impak negatif terhadap hak asasi manusia, dan untuk menjalankan penilaian impak hak asasi manusia terhadap pusat-pusat pemulihan serta amalan pengubahan SOGIE anjuran kerajaan yang serupa. 

KENYATAAN MEDIA: Hari Peringatan Transgender: Perlindungan Polis penting dalam menangani keganasan terhadap individu trans dan pelbagai gender

Pada setiap 20 November, bersempena dengan Hari Peringatan Transgender atau Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), kami memberi penghormatan kepada individu transgender dan pelbagai gender yang telah kehilangan nyawa disebabkan oleh keganasan berasaskan gender. Individu pelbagai gender tidak semestinya merupakan transgender, namun dilihat sebagai transgender atau sebahagian daripada komuniti LGBT berdasarkan kepada cara mereka mengekspresikan diri dan gender mereka. 

Kepentingan TDOR kini menjadi lebih besar dan mendesak daripada sebelum ini. Di peringkat global, antara 1 Oktober 2022 sehingga 30 September 2023, sejumlah 320 individu trans dan pelbagai gender telah dilaporkan meninggal dunia kerana dibunuh, menurut Trans Murder Monitoring Update 2023.

Di Malaysia, sekurang-kurangnya empat kes telah didokumentasikan bermula pada Januari dan November 2023 menerusi pengawasan media dan pelaporan komuniti, dua kali ganda daripada angka pada tahun sebelumnya.

• 26 Januari 2023 – seorang transwanita di Kuala Lumpur ditemui/mati di rumahnya setelah hilang selama tiga hari. Pihak polis mengesyaki terdapat unsur jenayah kerana terdapat bungkusan makanan di atas meja dan pintu rumahnya tidak dikunci.

• 8 Jun 2023 – seorang transwanita ditemui mati di rumahnya sendiri di Selangor. Walaupun si mati tampak seperti telah membunuh diri, lebam telah ditemui pada badan, muka, dan lengannya. Polis telah menahan seorang suspek, namun kesudahan kes tersebut masih tidak diketahui. Ahli keluarga si mati telah bersuara di ruang awam untuk menuntut keadilan bagi kematian anak mereka. Kes tersebut telah dilaporkan di media berbahasa Tamil.

• 4 Julai 2023 – seorang transwanita di Kuala Lumpur telah ditemui mati di rumahnya, berpakaian lengkap beserta dengan solekan.

• 10 Oktober 2023 – seorang transwanita telah ditemui mati di lorong pejalan kaki di Johor. Polis melaporkan terdapat kesan trauma akibat serangan senjata tumpul di kepala dan dadanya. Pihak polis tidak mengesyaki terdapat sebarang unsur jenayah bagi kes itu.

Kes-kes tersebut, serta kes sebelumnya jelas menunjukkan kerentanan transanita terhadap keganasan berasaskan gender. Pekerja seks transwanita terutamanya paling mudah terdedah kepada keganasan oleh klien mereka. Penjenayahan identiti gender transwanita serta kerja seks menyebabkan mereka menjadi lebih rentan dan terdedah kepada keganasan di samping menyukarkan akses mereka kepada sistem pengadilan. Di dalam dua kes, pihak polis, keluarga serta kawan mengesyaki pasangan kekasih sebagai pelaku jenayah.

Walaupun pihak polis melaksanakan penyiasatan bagi kes-kes tersebut, terdapat jurang dalam cara kes tersebut dikendalikan yang menjurus kepada ketidakadilan bagi pihak keluarga.

Jurang tersebut terlihat dalam:

• Penafian elemen “jenayah berdasarkan kebencian” (hate crime) Pembunuhan seorang transwanita baru-baru ini di Johor merupakan satu contoh keputusan pramatang yang menafikan kemungkinan jenayah berdasarkan kebencian.

• Kapasiti dalam menganalisa dan menyiasat jenayah berdasarkan kebencian serta kes-kes keganasan berasaskan gender yang teruk terhadap individu trans dan pelbagai gender. Pada Oktober 2023, Mahkamah Tinggi Penang membebaskan lima lelaki yang terlibat dalam kes pembunuhan T. Nhaveen berdasarkan alasan pembuktian yang tidak konsisten. Hakim telah berkata di media “Pihak polis gagal melakukan penyiasatan secara adil bagi kes ini.” Perbicaraan tersebut juga telah dilaporkan tertangguh berikutan isu kertas kerja dan hanya bermula pada Mei 2021.
  
  Pada tahun 2017, Nhaveen meninggal dunia beberapa hari setelah diserang dengan kejam. Dia diserang kerana ekspresi gendernya tidak mengikut norma maskuliniti masyarakat. Penyerang-penyerang di dalam kes tersebut, sebahagiannya merupakan bekas rakan sekelas Nhaveen, mempunyai sejarah melakukan buli dan keganasan – termasuk keganasan seksual – terhadap Nhaveen berdasarkan ekspresi gendernya. Walaupun Jabatan Peguam Negara Malaysia akan membuat rayuan untuk keputusan tersebut, keluarga Nhaveen terus dilanda kesengsaraan berikutan ketidakadilan tersebut.
  
• Penggunaan bahasa yang mesra trans dan gender. Di dalam kes jenayah berdasarkan kebencian, pihak polis merupakan sumber utama maklumat, dan cara mereka menghuraikan individu trans mempunyai kesan kepada cara media melaporkan kes tersebut. Ini dijejaskan lagi oleh taraf yang rendah bagi pelaporan berita yang berkaitan dengan komuniti trans. Media telah berulang kali menggunakan bahasa yang tidak manusiawi apabila merujuk kepada individu trans, seperti pondan, dan dengan sengaja menggunakan gender yang salah, menyebabkan orang ramai mempunyai persepsi individu trans tidak bernilai seperti individu lain. Amplifikasi ini mempunyai kesan yang mendalam dalam meningkatkan diskriminasi terhadap individu trans serta penyebaran budaya keganasan terhadap trans tanpa batas disebabkan oleh penyisihan, penjenayahan, dan ketiadaan perlindungan.

TDOR merupakan kesempatan bagi kita semua untuk merefleksi cara untuk mengubah keadaan dan memperjuangkan undang-undang yang melindungi individu trans dan pelbagai gender daripada diskriminasi. Kami mengesyorkan pihak PDRM untuk membabitkan diri serta belajar daripada negara ASEAN lain dalam usaha mereka untuk menangani keganasan berasaskan gender terhadap individu trans, LGBTIQ, dan pelbagai gender. Pada tahun 2018, Polis Nasional Filipina (PNP) telah melancarkan LGBT Help and Protection Desks di seluruh balai polis negara tersebut.

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MEDIA STATEMENT: Transgender Day of Remembrance: Police protection is key in addressing violence against trans and gender-diverse people

Every year on November 20, in conjunction with Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we honour transgender and gender-diverse people whose lives were lost in acts of gender-based violence. Gender-diverse people include gender non-conforming people, who may or may not be transgender but are perceived as transgender or LGBT people based on the way they express themselves or their gender expression. 

The significance and urgency of TDOR now are greater than it has ever been. Globally, between 1 October 2022 and 30 September 2023, 320 trans and gender-diverse people were reported murdered, according to the Trans Murder Monitoring Update 2023. 

In Malaysia, at least four cases were documented between January and November 2023 through media monitoring and community reporting, double the previous year’s figures. 

• 26 January 2023 – a trans woman in Kuala Lumpur was found dead in her home after missing for three days. The police suspected foul play, as there was packed food on the table and her door was unlocked. 

• 8 June 2023 – a trans woman was found dead in Selangor in her own home. Although her death appeared as a suicide, bruises were found on her body, face, and arms.  Police apprehended a suspect, although the outcome of the case is unknown. Family members spoke out publicly, seeking justice for the death of their daughter. The case was reported in the Tamil media.
  
• 4 July 2023 – a trans woman in Kuala Lumpur was found dead in her home. She was fully clothed and in make-up. 

• 10 October 2023 – a trans woman was found dead in a pedestrian tunnel in Johor. The police reported blunt trauma to her head and chest. The police ruled out foul play. 

These, and previous cases reveal a trend in the vulnerability of trans women to gender-based violence. Trans women sex workers are especially vulnerable to violence by their clients. The criminalisation of both trans women’s gender identity and sex work increases their vulnerability to violence with impunity while restricting access to redress. In two cases, the police, family, and friends suspect the intimate partner as the perpetrator. 

While the police do carry out investigations in these cases, the gaps in the way these cases are handled result in a lack of justice and closure for family members and loved ones. 

These gaps include:

• Ruling out elements of ‘hate crimes’. The recent murder of a trans woman in Johor is an example of prematurely omitting the possibility of a hate crime. 

• Capacity in analysing and investigating hate crimes and severe cases of gender-based violence against trans and gender-diverse persons. In October 2023, the Penang High Court acquitted five men of T. Nhaveen’s murder due to inconsistencies in the evidence. The judge was quoted in the media saying “The police have failed to conduct investigations into this case fairly.” The trial was also reportedly delayed over paperwork and only began in May 2021. 

In 2017, Nhaveen died a few days after being brutally assaulted. He was assaulted because his gender expression did not fit the masculine standards of society. The assailants, some of whom were his former classmates, have a history of bullying and violence – including sexual violence – against Nhaveen based on his gender expression. While the Attorney General Chambers’ (AGC) office will be appealing the decision, the family members continue to suffer from the lack of justice for Nhaveen. 

• Use of trans and gender-affirming language. In cases of hate crimes, the police are the main source of information, and the way they describe trans people has a ripple effect on how the media reports the case. This is exacerbated by some media’s already poor standards in reporting trans-related news. The media has repeatedly used dehumanising language when referring to trans people, such as pondan, and deliberate misgendering, which contributes to the public perception that trans and gender-diverse lives are worth less than others. This amplification has a far-reaching effect in increasing discrimination against trans people and propagating a culture of anti-trans violence with impunity due to exclusion, criminalisation, and lack of protection. 

TDOR is an opportunity for us all to reflect on how we can change these conditions and advocate for laws that protect trans and gender-diverse persons against discrimination. We urge the PDRM to engage and learn from the other countries in ASEAN in responding to gender-based violence against trans, LGBTIQ, and gender-diverse people. The Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2018 launched the LGBT Help and Protection Desks in police stations nationwide.

Penganiayaan berterusan terhadap Nur Sajat menandakan peningkatan ekstremisme yang semakin membimbangkan di Malaysia

Kami, kumpulan masyarakat sivil, memandang serius perkembangan kes Nur Sajat. Pada 8 September 2021, Nur Sajat ditahan oleh Jabatan Imigresen Thailand berikutan permintaan pihak berkuasa Malaysia. Perkembangan berbahaya ini di sebalik pembatasan kebebasan beragama yang semakin meningkat dan peningkatan sentimen anti-LGBTQ, mempunyai kesan yang luas kepada semua orang, bukan sahaja kepada Sajat dan individu LGBTIQ.

Sejak pendedahan oleh Harian Metro pada 20 September 2020, beberapa pelaku negara memberikan respon yang membimbangkan. Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Bukit Aman, Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan telah menyatakan bahawa PDRM sedang bekerjasama dengan Kementerian Luar Negeri dan Jabatan Peguam Negara untuk membawa pulang Nur Sajat. Menurut sebuah kenyataan media oleh PDRM, Nur Sajat dikehendaki atas tuduhan-tuduhan berikut:

• Mempersendakan Islam (S. 9 Enakmen Kesalahan Jenayah Syariah Selangor)
• Menghalang penjawat awam pada menjalankan kerja-kerja jawatannya (S. 186 Kanun Keseksaan)
• Menggunakan kekerasan jenayah untuk menakutkan pegawai awam daripada menjalankan kewajipannya (S. 353 Kanun Keseksaan)

Terdahulu Nur Sajat dilaporkan dituduh di bawah Seksyen 10 Enakmen Jenayah Syariah Selangor untuk menghina Islam. Akan tetapi, PDRM melaporkan bahawa Nuru Sajat dikehendaki di bawah Seksyen 9, dan bukan Seksyen 10 Enakmen Jenayah Syariah Selangor. 

Dua pertuduhan terakhir adalah berkaitan dengan pergelutan fizikal yang berlaku di JAIS, selepas pegawai JAIS menangkap Nur Sajat setelah mengambil keterangannya. Nur Sajat melaporkan bahawa dia ditahan dan digari secara kasar. Nur Sajat juga membuat laporan polis terhadap pegawai JAIS pada 13 Januari. Bagaimanapun, status siasatan tersebut masih tidak diketahui.

Dalam satu komunikasi kepada kerajaan Malaysia berkenaan kes Nur Sajat (JUA MYS 4/2021), pemegang Mandat Khas PBB menyatakan bahawa, “Cik Sajat tidak boleh didiskriminasi dan dihalang daripada mempraktikkan haknya kepada kebebasan beragama atau kepercayaan semata-mata berdasarkan identiti gender. Seperti yang diperuntukkan dalam Perkara 29(2) UDHR, hak dan kebebasan seseorang hanya boleh dikenakan batasan seperti ditentukan oleh undang-undang semata-mata untuk tujuan mendapatkan pengiktirafan dan penghormatan atas hak dan kebebasan orang lain serta untuk memenuhi syarat moral, ketenteraman awam dan kesejahteraan umum yang adil dalam masyarakat demokratik, tidak terkesan secara negatif oleh aktiviti Cik Sajat.”

Dalam komunikasi ini, kerajaan diminta untuk memberikan maklumat berikut:

• Langkah-langkah yang telah diambil untuk menjamin hak Cik Nur Sajat terhadap kebebasan beragama atau kepercayaan tanpa diskriminasi dan gangguan oleh pelaku bukan negara dan pelaku negara.
• Tindakan yang diambil oleh kerajaan untuk melindungi Cik Nur Sajat dan keluarganya daripada ugutan, gangguan atau tekanan lebih serius serta untuk memastikan keselamatan mereka.
• Apakah tindakan yang dirancang atau dilaksanakan untuk memerangi pola hasutan terhadap keganasan yang semakin meningkat?

Permanent Mission of Malaysia pada 24 Mac 2021 telah menjawab komunikasi tersebut dengan menyatakan bahawa mereka telah “mengirimkan Permohonan Segera Bersama (JUA) untuk perhatian segera pihak berkuasa Malaysia yang relevan.”

Kesan yang meluas 

Sejak pendedahan Harian Metro, pelbagai pelaku negara telah mengambil peluang ini untuk mengenakan pelbagai kengkangan terhadap individu transgender dan LGBTQ, yang secara bertahap meningkat sejak pengenalan fatwa  pada tahun 1982 yang memberi kesan kepada hak individu trans ke atas penentuan nasib sendiri dan otonomi badan.

• Jawatankuasa Fatwa Perlis mengeluarkan fatwa, bertajuk Hukum Berinteraksi Dengan Mukhannath (Pondan / Mak Nyah / Bapuk / Pengkid / Tomboi / Transgender) atau panduan interaksi dengan mukhannath (Pondan / Mak Nyah / Bapu / Pengkid / Tomboy / Transgender), yang menganggap individu transgender dan LGBQ secara umum sebagai fasik atau seseorang yang melanggar undang-undang Islam kerana identiti gender dan ekspresi gender serta anggapan orientasi seksual. Pandangan jawatankuasa berkenaan identiti gender, ekspresi gender dan orientasi seksual adalah tidak tepat, tidak berdasarkan bukti dan hak, dan yang paling penting ialah ianya sangat berbahaya. Antara perkara berbahaya dalam fatwa adalah larangan individu transgender daripada memasuki masjid dan menunaikan haji serta umrah oleh sebab identiti gender mereka.

• YB Nik Abduh (MP Bachok, Kelantan) mencadangkan lebih banyak program pemulihan yang ditaja oleh kerajaan bagi individu LGBT di Parlimen pada 21 September 2021. Amalan pemulihan atau penukaran tidak berasaskan fakta dan ditolak secara meluas kerana kesan buruk yang berpanjangan terhadap bukan sahaja individu LGBTIQ tetapi juga individu dalam lingkungan mereka.

Hal ini menyusul jawapan Perdana Menteri di Parlimen, di mana beliau menyatakan bahawa kerajaan telah melancarkan pelbagai kegiatan untuk membimbing  golongan LGBT ‘kembali ke pangkal jalan’.

Sentimen anti-LGBT yang berterusan dan meningkat di Malaysia adalah amat membimbangkan.

Kajian Suhakam berkenaan diskriminasi terhadap individu transgender di Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor mendapati bahawa 72 daripada 100 responden pernah terfikir untuk berhijrah ke negara-negara yang mempunyai perlindungan undang-undang yang lebih baik, pengiktirafan gender yang sah, persekitaran yang menerima mereka, antara lain. 54 responden mengatakan bahawa mereka tidak rasa selamat tinggal di Malaysia. Menurut Kementerian Dalam Negeri, antara 2017 dan 2018, lebih 50% orang yang meminta perlindungan politik di Australia dilaporkan adalah rakyat Malaysia. ‘LGBT’ dan diskriminasi atas dasar etnik dan agama adalah dua daripada empat sebab utama yang dikemukakan oleh pemohon Malaysia. Sebab-sebab lain termasuklah keganasan rumah tangga dan tekanan keluarga.

Kami mahu mengingatkan kerajaan bahawa dalam usaha Malaysia untuk mendapatkan kerusi di Majlis Hak Asasi Manusia, Malaysia telah membuat beberapa janji semasa sesi berjanji Majlis Hak Asasi Manusia pada 8 September 2021. Malaysia mengulangi komitmennya secara tegas untuk memajukan hak asasi manusia. Sejajar dengan ini, kerajaan Malaysia haruslah menghormati prinsip non-refoulement (larangan pemulangan semula pencari suaka ke negara asal di mana mereka rentan terhadap pencabulan hak asasi manusia) dan hak Nur Sajat untuk mencari suaka.

Kami meminta kerajaan dan masyarakat untuk menghentikan semua penyiasatan dan gangguan terhadap Nur Sajat, serta menghormati haknya untuk mencari suaka seperti yang dinyatakan dalam Perkara 14 Deklarasi Hak Asasi Manusia Sejagat. Ancaman dan risiko terhadap Nur Sajat kerana identiti gender adalah jelas. Selama bertahun-tahun, Nur Sajat telah mengalami pelbagai bentuk penganiayaan, termasuklah dibuli, penyebaran maklumat peribadi tanpa kebenaran (doxing), gangguan oleh pelaku negara dan bukan negara, yang semakin meningkat dari hari ke hari.

TAMAT/-

Disokong oleh 

1. Justice for Sisters 
2. Agora Society
3. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
4. Amnesty International Malaysia
5. Association of Women Lawyers (AWL) 
6. Center for Independent Journalism
7. Deaf LGBTIQ community 
8. Diversity Malaysia
9. EMPOWER Malaysia
10. JEJAKA
11. KRYSS Network 
12. Legal Dignity
13. PLUHO (People Like Us Hang Out!)
14. North South Initiative
15. Sisters in Islam (SIS)
16. Shh… Diam!
17. Parti Sosialis Malaysia
18. PELANGI Campaign
19. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)
20. Our Journey
21. Transmen of Malaysia
22. Tenaganita
23. The KLSCAH Women Division
24. UMANY
25. Women’s Center for Change (WCC)

Lampiran 1: Ringkasan aktiviti oleh kerajaan berkaitan dengan isu-isu LGBT seperti yang dinyatakan di Parlimen pada 14 September 2021 oleh Ismail Sabri, Perdana Menteri

• Pelan Tindakan Sosial Islam, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (PTSI JAKIM) 2019-2025 atau Action Plan on Social aspects of Islam, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (PTSI JAKIM) 2019-2025 dibangunkan untuk menangani masalah sosial di kalangan umat Islam di Malaysia, termasuk isu-isu LGBT. Pelan tindakan telah membawa kepada pembentukan pasukan petugas yang terdiri dari beberapa kementerian dan agensi yang bekerjasama untuk menangani masalah LGBT
• Program sokongan dan bimbingan. Ini termasuk

• Mukhayaam atau kem agama, yang bertujuan untuk memberikan “bimbingan rohani dan kesedaran” dan maklumat kesihatan, terutama maklumat berkaitan dengan HIV kepada orang LGBT. Sehingga Jun 2021, sekurang-kurangnya 1,733 orang LGBT telah menyertai kem ini. Hasil dari kem tersebut, 12 NGO komuniti Hijrah atau bekas NGO LGBT yang terdiri daripada orang LGBT Muslim telah ditubuhkan.
• Menyusuli dan menyokong program melalui sesi atau kelas keagamaan dan dana benih untuk perniagaan oleh jabatan dan majlis Islam negeri, antara lain.
• Program pendidikan dan advokasi berkaitan dengan isu LGBT, yang merangkumi seminar yang mensasarkan pelajar sekolah dan universiti, kaunselor sekolah, ibu bapa, sukarelawan dan wakil NGO Islam, penyedia kesihatan. Seminar ini memberikan maklumat berkaitan dengan bagaimana menjauhkan diri dari tingkah laku LGBT, bagaimana untuk membantu seseorang untuk meninggalkan tingkah laku LGBT mereka, antara lain. Pada 4 September 2021, Persidangan Pra-Bengkel untuk Kem Agama Nusantara dengan komuniti LGBT dari Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand dan Singapura diadakan.
• Sumbangan melalui Dana Musa’adah untuk orang LGBT. 525 peserta Mukhayyam mendapat manfaat melalui dana tersebut.

• Penubuhan pusat sosial. Pusat Khidmat Keluarga dan Sosial Komuniti (PKKSK)  atau Family and social community service center di bawah JAKIM menyediakan kaunseling syariah, terapi psikospiritual Islam dan Ilaj syarie (rawatan Islam). Perkhidmatan ini tersedia di seluruh negara
• Pembangunan penerbitan oleh JAKIM, yang merangkumi modul Ilaj Wa Syifa (Rawatan dan Pemulihan).

The continuous persecution of Nur Sajat underscores growing extremism in Malaysia

We, members of civil society, are deeply concerned about the developments surrounding Nur Sajat’s case. On 8 September 2021, Nur Sajat was arrested by the Thai Immigration Department following a request by the Malaysian authorities. These dangerous developments, taking place against the backdrop of growing restriction of freedom of religion and increasing anti-LGBTQ sentiments, have a wide ranging impact on all people, not just Sajat and LGBTIQ persons. 

Since the exposé by Harian Metro on 20 September 2020, several state actors have responded with alarming alacrity. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan stated that PDRM is working with the Foreign Ministry and the Attorney-General’s Chambers to extradite Nur Sajat. According to a PDRM media statement, Nur Sajat is wanted for the following charges: 

• Deriding verses of Al-Quran or Hadith (S. 9 of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment) 
• Obstructing public servant in discharge of his public functions (S. 186 of the Penal Code) 
• Using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty (S. 353 of the Penal Code) 

We note that Nur Sajat was earlier reported of being charged under Section 10 of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment for insulting islam. However, the PDRM reported that she is wanted for Section 9 instead of Section 10 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment.

The latter two charges are allegedly related to a scuffle that took place on JAIS premises, when JAIS officers proceeded to arrest her after taking her statement. Nur Sajat reported that she was violently pinned down and handcuffed. Nur Sajat also made a police report against the JAIS officers on January 13. However, the status of the investigation remains unknown. 

In a communication to the Malaysian government on Nur Sajat’s case (JUA MYS 4/2021)​​,  UN Special Mandate holders stated that, “Ms. Sajat cannot be discriminated against and be restricted in the exercise of her right to freedom of religion or belief solely based on her gender identity. As provided in Article 29(2) of the UDHR, in the exercise of one’s rights and freedoms, one shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society, none of which is negatively impacted in regard to the activities of Ms Sajat.” 

 In this communication the government was asked to provide the following information: 

• What steps have been taken to guarantee Ms Nur Sajat’s right to freedom of religion or belief without discrimination and harassment by non-state actors and State agents.
• The measures taken by the Government to protect Ms Nur Sajat and her family from further intimidation, harassment or pressure and to ensure their safety.
• What measures are planned or implemented to combat the growing pattern of incitement to violence?

The Permanent Mission of Malaysia replied on 24 March 2021 by saying that they have “transmitted the Joint Urgent Appeal (JUA) to the urgent attention of relevant Malaysian authorities.” 

Wide Ranging Impact 

Since the release of the Harian Metro expose, various state actors have expressed restrictive measures against trans and LGBTQ persons, which have been gradually escalating since the introduction of fatwa prohibiting trans people’s rights to self-determination and bodily autonomy in 1982.

• The Perlis Fatwa Committee released a fatwa, titled Hukum Berinteraksi Dengan Mukhannath (Pondan/Mak Nyah/Bapuk/Pengkid/Tomboi/Transgender) or a guide on interaction with mukhannath (Pondan/Mak Nyah/Bapu /Pengkid/Tomboy/Transgender), which considers transgender and LGBQ people in general as fasik or someone who violates Islamic law because of their gender identity and gender expression as well as perceived sexual orientation. The committee’s views on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation is inaccurate, not evidence and rights based and most importantly extremely harmful. Among the harmful things in the fatwa are prohibition of transgender people from entering mosques and performing haj and umrah because of their gender identity. 

• YB Nik Abduh (MP Bachok, Kelantan) called for more state-sponsored rehabilitation programmes for LGBT persons in Parliament on 21 September 2021. Rehabilitation or conversion practices are widely discredited because of its long lasting harmful impact not just on LGBTIQ persons but also people who are connected to them. 

This comes after the Prime Minister, in answering a question in parliament, noted that the government has rolled out a range of activities to ‘bring LGBT people back to the right path’. 

The continuous and escalating anti-LGBT sentiments in Malaysia is extremely concerning. 

A Suhakam study on the discrimination against transgender people based in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor found that 72 of 100 respondents thought of migrating to countries with better legal protection, legal gender recognition, accepting environment, among others. 54 respondents said that they don’t feel safe living in Malaysia. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, between 2017 and 2018, over 50% of people who sought asylum in Australia were reportedly Malaysians. ’LGBT’ and discrimination on the grounds on ethnicity and religion are two of the four main reasons cited by the Malaysian applicants. Other reasons include domestic violence and family pressure. 

We recall that in its bid to secure a seat at the Human Rights Council, Malaysia made several pledges during the Human Rights Council pledging session on 8 September 2021. Malaysia reiterated its unequivocal commitment to advancing human rights. In line with this, the Malaysian government must respect the principle of non refoulement and Nur Sajat’s right to seek asylum.  

We call on the state and members of the public to end all investigations and harassment against Nur Sajat, and respect her right to seek asylum as stated under Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The threats and risks against Nur Sajat because of her gender identity are blatant. Over the years, Nur Sajat has experienced bullying, doxing, harassment with impunity by both state and non-state actors, which have escalated by the day. 

ENDS/-

Endorsed by 

1. Justice for Sisters 
2. Agora Society
3. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
4. Amnesty International Malaysia
5. Association of Women Lawyers (AWL) 
6. Center for Independent Journalism
7. Deaf LGBTIQ community 
8. Diversity Malaysia
9. EMPOWER Malaysia
10. JEJAKA
11. KRYSS Network 
12. Legal Dignity
13. PLUHO (People Like Us Hang Out!)
14. North South Initiative
15. Sisters in Islam (SIS)
16. Shh… Diam!
17. Parti Sosialis Malaysia
18. PELANGI Campaign
19. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)
20. Our Journey
21. Transmen of Malaysia
22. Tenaganita
23. The KLSCAH Women Division
24. UMANY
25. Women’s Center for Change (WCC)

Appendix 1: Summary of government activities on LGBT issues (Source: Jawapan bertulis by Ismail Sabri, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Parliament Malaysia, 14 September 2021)

• Pelan Tindakan Sosial Islam, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (PTSI JAKIM) 2019-2025 or Action Plan on Social aspects of Islam, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (PTSI JAKIM) 2019-2025 was developed to address social ills among Muslims in Malaysia, including LGBT issues. The action plan has led to the creation of a task force made up of a few ministries and agencies who are working together to address LGBT issues 
• Support and Guidance programmes. This includes 
  • Mukhayaam or religious camps, which aims to provide “spiritual guidance and awareness” and health information, particularly HIV related information to LGBT persons. As of June 2021, at least 1,733 LGBT people have participated in the camps. As a result of the camps, 12 NGO komuniti Hijrah or ex-LGBT NGOs consiing of Muslim LGBT persons have been established. 
  • Follow up and support programmes through religious sessions or classes and seed funds for business by the state Islamic departments and councils, among others. 
  • Education and advocacy programmes in relation to LGBT issues, which includes seminars targeting school and university students, school counsellors, parents, volunteers and representatives of islamic NGOs, health providers. The seminar provides information in relation to how to stay away from LGBT behaviour, how to help someone to abandon their LGBT behaviour, among others. On 4 September 2021, a Pre-Workshop Conference for a Nusantara Religious Camp with LGBT community from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore was held. 
  • Donations through the Musa’adah Fund for LGBT people. 525 Mukhayyam participants benefited through the fund. 
• Establishment of a social center. The Family and social community service center or Pusat Khidmat Keluarga dan Sosial Komuniti (PKKSK) under JAKIM provides syariah counseling, islamic psychospiritual therapy and Ilaj syarie (Islamic treatment). These services are available nationwide 
• Development of publications by JAKIM, which includes the Ilaj Wa Syifa (Treatment and Rehabilitation) module.  

Appendix 2: Laws

Selangor Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995

Section 9. Deriding etc., verses of Al-Quran or Hadith.

Any person who derides, insults, ridicules or brings into contempt by his words or acts the verses of Al-Quran or Hadith shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both .

Section 10. Insulting or bringing into contempt, etc., the religion of Islam.

Any person who by words which are capable of being heard or read or by drawings, marks or other forms of representation which are visible or capable of being visible or in any other manner-

(a)insults or brings into contempt the religion of Islam:

(b)derides, apes or ridicules the practice or ceremonies relating to the religion of Islam: or

(c)degrades or brings into contempt any law relating to the religion of Islam for the time being in force in this State

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.

Penal Code

186. Obstructing public servant in discharge of his public functions.

Whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to *two years or with fine which may extend to *ten thousand ringgit or with both.

353. Using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty

Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person being a public servant in the execution of his duty as such public servant, or with intent to prevent or deter that person from discharging his duty as such public servant, or in consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by such person in the lawful discharge of his duty as such public servant, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.

download & share these Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) visuals

In conjunction with Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on 20 November 2019, we commemorate the lives of trans and gender diverse persons lost to hate crimes and anti-transgender violence.

This year, at least 2 cases of murder of trans women were reported and many cases of hate crimes were documented in Malaysia. Globally, 350 trans and gender-diverse people registered murdered between 1 October 2019 and 30 September 2020. Of which,

• 98% of those murdered globally were trans women or trans feminine people;
• 62% of murdered trans people whose occupation is known were sex workers

Together we can end violence against trans and gender diverse persons in Malaysia and globally. We encourage you to download and share these visuals via social media or other platforms with your friends and family members to help raise awareness regarding the violence experienced by trans and gender diverse people.

TDoR visuals in BM

TDoR visuals in English

Malaysian government must take urgent and meaningful actions to curb the increasing discrimination and violence against transgender persons

In conjunction with Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on 20 November 2019, we commemorate the lives of trans and gender diverse persons lost to hate crimes and anti-transgender violence.

Between November 2018 and November 2019, 331 trans and gender diverse people were reported killed globally. A large majority of the victims of these senseless killings were sex workers.

In Malaysia, at least 4 cases of murder of trans women were reported between November 2018 and October 2019:

• • December 2018 – A trans woman, allegedly a sex worker from was beaten to death by a group of men allegedly over a stolen hand phone. She died due to severe head injuries caused by a blunt object. Her case was investigated as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code. However, the outcome of the case is unknown.

• •  January 2019 – A trans woman from Sabah, allegedly a sex worker in Klang was found murdered. The perpetrator alleged that the woman stole his hand phone and jumped out of the car when she was confronted for the theft. Her case was investigated. However, the outcome of the case is unknown.

• • October 2019 – A trans woman of Thai nationality was found dead in a hotel in Langkawi. Her body was found a few days after the murder. The status of investigation of this case is unknown

• • October 2019 – A trans woman in Perak was reportedly murdered. The case was either unreported or misreported and was discovered through community networks.

While cases of hate crimes and murders are underreported and misreported (as victims are often misgendered), there is an upward trend of murders in the last 3 years. Between 2017 and 2019 alone, at least 9 cases of murders have been reported. This makes up 47% of the total 19 cases that have been recorded between 2007 and October 2019 (13 years).

The increasing trend of murders and violence also correlate with the increasing transphobia and discrimination against trans people in Malaysia that remains unaddressed. This is further exacerbated by discriminatory laws, policies and state-funded programmes that reinforce exclusion, misinformation and impunity in relation to violence and discrimination against trans people.

Case in point, a recent media report on Astro Awani of a murder of a gay man in the United States. Online users, among others, applauded the perpetrator of killing the gay man, some going as far as to encourage similar acts of violence against LGBT persons in Malaysia. This is not an isolated incident. On many other occasions, often in the name of religion, online users have called for, promoted and condoned violence towards trans, gender diverse and LGBTQ people.

In the case of a brutal attack of  a trans woman in Negeri Sembilan in August 2018 at the height of the anti-LGBT sentiments online and offline post elections, the victim reported that the perpetrators attacked her because they ‘do not like LGBT’. While the woman was brutally assaulted by a group of men, resulting in broken ribs, backbone, and a ruptured spleen, the case was not classified by the police as a hate crime.

Other issues

There are a few trends and issues that we would like to highlight:

• •   In many of these cases, the police are quick to dismiss the element of hate crime in these cases despite the brutal violence experienced by the victim. The lack of gender-sensitive and a rights-based approach in analysing the crimes does not allow the police and the government to understand the trend of violence and increased vulnerability experienced by trans people, and design adequate and meaningful response to address violence against trans people.

• •  These cases also show a trend of victim blaming. In many of these cases perpetrators often accuse the victim of soliciting sex, theft or other reasons that reinforce prejudice towards trans women, preventing trans women getting the justice that they deserve.

• •   Family members can be a barrier in seeking justice for the murdered trans women. In some cases, family members do not wish to seek justice due to the stigma towards trans people.

• •   The media attention on these cases is also often limited to the initial reporting of the murder. Continuous attention by the media on the cases of murder will assist in keeping track of the cases.

We believe violence against trans and gender diverse persons can be addressed and eliminated. We call the government to engage transgender human rights groups, address the escalating hateful speech against trans and gender diverse persons, train and raise awareness regarding transgender persons and gender identities among all government staff using rights and evidence-based approach, and take meaningful measures to end all forms of discrimination against trans people.

 

download & share our transgender day of remembrance (tdor) visuals

In conjunction with Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we commemorate the lives that have been lost to violence and hate crimes. This year,  at least 3 cases of murders against trans women have been reported in Malaysia.

Help us create awareness and strengthen solidarity by downloading and sharing these visuals

TDOR 2019 (english)

 

TDOR 2019 (BM)

 

other visuals

Rise of crimes and violence against trans women needs urgent attention

On January 1, 2019, a body of a trans woman was found along Jalan Batu Nilai in Klang. Preliminary reports show that she had sustained a number of injuries on her knees, ankle and other parts of the body. The death of the woman raises serious concerns and suspicion. A suspect has been arrested and remanded in connection to the case. He claims that the victim had jumped out of a moving vehicle upon being confronted about stealing the suspect’s handphone.

We are extremely concerned over the rise in cases of violence and crimes against trans women in Malaysia. Including this case, at least 3 cases of murder have been reported between November 2018 and January 2019. 2 of which took place in Klang. This brings the cases of reported murders of trans women to a total of 18 cases since 2007, averaging at 1.5 cases a year.

In many of the reported cases of murder of trans women, the victims often suffer excessive and extreme violence or torture. Based on the 18 reported murders of trans women in Malaysia, the victims were subjected to torture, including being beaten to death with a hammer, strangled, gagged, stabbed multiple times, physically assaulted, pushed from a building, drowned in a water retention pond, shot, mutilated, etc.

The brutal and excessive violence or torture has to be looked at closely. The elements of torture in these crimes suggest a number of things, including increased rage or hate by perpetrators against trans women, impunity enjoyed by people who commit violence against trans women, amongst others.

We welcome the swift actions by the police, and we look forward to a thorough, unbiased and objective investigation. It is imperative that the police corroborates the evidence and thoroughly investigate the case to ensure justice for victims and their loved ones.

Reported cases of murder of trans women in Malaysia between 2007 and January 2019

Year	Number of reported cases murder of trans women
2007	1
2008	1
2009	2
2010	1
2011	1
2012	1
2013	2
2014	0
2015	0
2016	1
2017	4
2018	2
2019	1

Address stigma, stereotypes and misconceptions against trans women to increase access to justice

Stigma, stereotypes and misconceptions against trans women increase and justify violence against trans people. Stereotypes and misconceptions such as trans people being unnatural, immoral or against religions and laws give the impression to others that they have the right to violate and abuse trans people.

People commit crimes against LGBTIQ persons because social stigma and discriminatory laws protect the abusers. Our society not only denies the rights of trans women but also target them through laws. When the laws target trans women, this forces them to live in the margins and become resigned to a life of discrimination, violence, abuse and neglect. Therefore, those who abuse trans women often do so because they know they can get away with it. All of which reinforces the culture of impunity.

In addition, these stereotypes and stigma often disadvantage trans women, effectively hindering a thorough and unbiased investigation, ultimately denying access to justice. In many cases of violence and crimes against trans women, trans women are not only blamed but are seen as the guilty party. The stigma and stereotypes in relation to trans women also often allow for absurd defence by the perpetrators. Some common narratives include narratives that position perpetrators as acting or reacting out of self-defence, to protect themselves from theft/crime, repulsion, or rejection of sexual advancements. This plays into the stereotypes of trans women being criminals and immoral, often resulting in lack of adequate penalties against perpetrators for the violence and crimes committed.

Perpetrators must be held accountable. However, punishment alone will not resolve this systemic issue. Perpetrators, and society in general,  should be provided with adequate support and information on gender and sexuality to ensure meaningful change in attitudes, behaviour and understanding of diversity. Education and efforts to dismantle legal and non-legal barriers experienced and create an inclusive and affirming environment are extremely critical in reducing crimes, violence and discrimination against trans people and marginalized communities.

Need for proactive preventive measures

With the rising cases of violence and murder against trans women specifically, and LGBT people in general, the police have a critical role to play in reversing this trend.

Firstly, we call for the police to introduce a guideline on handling, documenting and analyzing cases of murder and crimes in relation to trans people and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer people (LGBTIQ+). Documentation and analysis of the cases of crimes and violence against trans women and LGBTIQ+ people are important to develop an understanding of the trend of the violence and to design specific interventions.

Our documentation and reported cases of murders show that gangsters, vigilante groups, intimate partner, clients of sex workers, strangers (often young persons) are the perpetrators of violence and crimes. Based on the cases, the perpetrators are all cisgender men across a wide age spectrum. This shows us that there is a critical need to address toxic masculinity and increase gender education in our society. Our documentation also shows communities and areas that are more vulnerable to crimes and violence. For example, trans women sex workers have increased vulnerabilities due to their increased exposure to diverse types of people. The emergence of vigilante groups, which often operate under the guise of residential patrol groups, for example, Kedah has also increased cases of violence against trans women.

It is important to note that cases of violence and crimes experienced by trans women are not reported or under-reported. This correlates with the trust deficit in the police, the perpetrator prey/victim dynamics between police and trans women, and lack of protection for trans people. The general lack of confidence in the police to swiftly and thoroughly investigate cases often prevents trans women from seeking justice, report cases, and in some cases, come forward as witnesses. Thus, it is extremely important for the local police departments to engage with the affected communities and bridge this trust deficit in order to efficiently ensure safety and security for all. We also call for the police to engage trans women communities in Klang, Kedah and other hotspots that have recorded a high number of cases of violence and crimes against trans women.

Crimes and violence towards trans women and LGBTQ people are rising at an alarming rate. The murder of the trans woman on New Year’s Day is a reminder of the realities that trans people live in and the urgency to amplify efforts in addressing violence and crimes against trans and LGBTQ people. These crimes and violence have an overarching impact on the safety, security and well-being of all persons, more so trans people. These continuous traumatic events of violence and crimes, if not addressed with an evidence and rights-based approach, will further isolate trans and LGBTQ people and increase the trust deficit in police and the government.

Endorsed by:

1. Justice for Sisters
2. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
3. Association of Women Lawyers (AWL)
4. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
5. Malaysian Design Archive (MDA)
6. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)
7. People Like Us, Hangout (PLUHO)
8. Pelangi Campaign
9. Knowledge and Rights with Young people through Safer Spaces (KRYSS)
10. Sisters in Islam (SIS)
11. Tenaganita
12. Women’s Centre for Change (WCC)
13. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
14. Perak Women for Women (PWW)
15. Seksualiti Merdeka
16. Queer Lapis
17. PT Foundation

Annex 1

Documented cases of violence and crimes based on gender identity, gender expression and actual or perceived sexual orientation

No	Year	Details	State
1	2012 and 2013	A group of gangsters in Pahang, physically assaulted over 13 trans women with steel chains, helmets and steel bars in a spate of attacks, resulting in serious injuries. Based on media reports and I am Scared to be a Woman, a report by Human Rights Watch, one woman being ‘beaten into a coma’ and some received between 18 and 78 stitches as a result of the assault.	Pahang
2	2015	A trans woman human rights defender was attacked in the vicinity of her home	Kuala Lumpur
3	June 2017	A young person in Penang died as result of physical assault and torture by a group of former schoolmates. The perpetrators had previously bullied the victim in school due to his ‘effeminate’ gender expression	Penang
4	2017	A Thai trans woman was stabbed multiple times by a client in Penang	Penang
5	January 2017 – January 2018	At least 12 cases of break ins and property destruction by persons in residential areas, strangers or unknown perpetrators; physical attacks, humiliation and torture by vigilante groups disguised as community policing or residential groups Skuad Badar Sungai Petani emerged on social media platforms, urging religious authorities to take action on trans women. We have also received information that this group has harassed, detained and attacked the trans women in the community, including shaving the heads of trans women in their custody	Multiple states in Malaysia
6	March 2018	Attacks and harassment of a few Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) volunteers by a few individuals for allegedly being LGBT supporters after the Women’s March on 10th March 2018	Kuala Lumpur
7	August 2018	A trans woman in Seremban was severely assaulted by a group of men resulting in serious injuries to spleen, spinal cord, rib bones, amongst others.	Negeri Sembilan
8	December 2018	A video of two gay men assaulted by a group of men for allegedly being intimate in a car went viral on social media platforms	Selangor