Quote:
On Friday, the Court of Appeal said the law against cross-dressing by Muslim men contravened the country's constitution and did not take account of male Muslims affected by gender identity disorder. The law and its punishments were "degrading, oppressive and inhuman", the three judges added.
Rights group Human Rights Watch has listed Malaysia as one of the worst countries in which to be a transgender person, due to systematic abuses by religious authorities and police. Activists welcomed Friday's ruling.
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http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia...dmark-decision
This is a really good news! Malaysia is one of the worst when it comes to treatment towards transgenders, especially after the National Fatwa Council issued a fatwa in 1983 against sex reassignment surgery for Muslim transsexuals and banned Muslim doctors from performing the surgery. The one Muslim doctor in Malaysia had to stop his practice. This fatwa also affects non-muslim transgenders too.
I hope in a few years, the fatwa will be overruled and transgenders in Malaysia will be able to change their names and sex on birth certs and legal documents and live with dignity and pride.