PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has received brickbats and bouquets over the appointment of a transgender to the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Malaysia designed to combat HIV/AIDS.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad slammed the appointment of Rania Zara Medina (pic) as a committee member, claiming that LGBT groups have a gender dysphoria that went against the values and beliefs of the majority of Malaysians.
"This LGBT culture also violates the law under Section 377A of the Penal Code, Section 25 and 26 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment and Section 28 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act.
"It is clear that the LGBT community's right to practise their lifestyle is still subject to the law, and it is barred in Malaysia," she said, questioning whether the appointment indicated that the government recognised those who promoted LGBT practices.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman urged the government to explain the reasons for appointing an LGBT ambassador to represent the ministry.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye had on Tuesday defended Rania's appointment, saying that the Cabinet in 2009 formed CCM Malaysia with an aim to tackle HIV/AIDS via contributions from the Global Fund. Read more via Asia One
Transwoman’s Appointment In Malaysian Health Ministry Stirs Controversy
Malaysian transwoman Rania Zara Medina has been officially appointed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) as a committee member who will be representing the transgender community in the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) in Malaysia.
According to the Global Fund, Country Coordinating Mechanisms are national committees in each country that submit funding applications to the Global Fund on behalf of the entire country. They include representatives from government, the private sector, technical partners, civil society and communities living with the diseases.
Rania who is also the winner of IKON TW 2017 shared the news on her social media along with an official letter from KKM which is signed by Deputy Minister of Health of Malaysia, Dr. Lee Boon Chye.
“I would like to thank the whole (transgender) community and my supporters who has been supporting me since the beginning of the nomination to today’s appointment. Without your trust, I wouldn’t be able to take on this responsibility. I will do my best for all of US,” she wrote.
Several conservative groups in Malaysia soon caught wind of the news and started to make a lot of noises on social media. Many of them are unable to accept the fact that a transgender is given a position in a government body. Most of the commenters blamed the new government and uses Islam to justify their argument. Read more via Hype