Yes or No..

I had an awesome week!

We conducted a 9-day programme for undergraduates. I stayed throughout the programme with the participants. As facilitator.

This is the best part of my job. The training part. I love this the most. But it's exhaustive. 9 days straight, from 5am to 12midnight. My work hours.

But looking at the participants, it felt so worthwhile. I love it.

During the programme, we went to visit a Transgender Community. This, definitely gave a profound impact to me. I've heard of them before, i've seen them from afar, but this time i had the opportunity to listen to what they have to say. The 'fight' they are fighting for in the country.
'To be equally treated as a human being'

That's what they are fighting for. Apparently.

I didn't know that they can be arrested and jailed if found to be a transgender by the authority. The first time I heard them said, "We are being arrested just because we're different. Just because we want to be ourselves, we are being jailed. This is not fair, all that we wanted is to be treated as a human being. Nothing else".

I must admit, when i heard them said that, i felt sorry for them. Felt like they are being treated unfairly. Felt like the authority being inhumane.

Is it?

I felt like i need to take a stand. A stand in this issue. But what would it be?

Through my little and limited knowledge of religion, i believe there isn't any that supports transgender. Let it be Islam, Christian, Hindu, Buddha etc. Therefore, i believe being a transgender, a person is denying and going against the religion.

So? Some people, or most people say, put aside your religion. This should not be an issue for a person's belief, it's a matter of human right, they say. For me, religion is everything.

Even in Malaysia Constitution, clearly stated that all Malaysian must adhere to their belief. The transgender, assuming that they're going against the religion, are already going against the first Malaysia Constitution, Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan...

So what happens to those going against the constitution? Jail time.

Now, when i see it in this perspective. Transgender being jailed is no longer a pity issue. A no, is a no. I stood for the arresting of transgender, i acknowledge that they are here in the country but i do not accept them to be a part of Malaysian Community.

If they want to live as how they wanted to, they are free to go somewhere else. The world is vast. Find somewhere else that accepts them. Leave Malaysia alone.

That is my stand. This is my principle.

Malaysia is my country.