Found at The Malaysian Insider

No one was crowned at the Glam Nite Miss Universe Asia 2008 at a resort in Tok Bali in Bachok on Friday night.
However, 16 contestants had a free night stay with the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department enforcement officials who raided the transsexual beauty pageant in the hotel resort.

Officials said some 50 people, including a teacher, took part in the pageant which drew a raucous crowd of some 300 people, including transsexuals from across the country to the resort in a scenic part of Kelantan.
Enforcement unit chief assistant director Abdul Aziz Mohd Nor lead a team of 50 in the 10pm raid, saying those detained were in their 20s and 30s and were posing in women's dresses
"Three of them managed to get away by diving into a nearby river while the rest were arrested and taken to the department's office in Kota Baru for further action," he said yesterday.
Abdul Aziz said the activities of the transsexuals, including dressing up like women, were against Islamic practices. He said they could be fined up to RM3,000 ($922.50 USD) or jail if convicted.

Found at The Malaysian Insider

Technorati: kelantan malaysia Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs DepartmentGlam Nite Miss Universe Asia 2008

Found at The Star

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.

Found at The Star

Technorati: malaysia Mak Nyah transgender transsexual welfare employment