Study Finds Malaysia Ranks As The Second Worst Country For Transgender Community
The penalties for LGBTQ+ related offenses can include a maximum sentence of twenty years’ imprisonment, along with corporal punishment.
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In Malaysia, same-sex sexual activity is considered a criminal offense both between men and between women.
Additionally, the expression of gender by transgender individuals is also criminalized.
The penalties for these offenses can include a maximum sentence of twenty years’ imprisonment, along with corporal punishment.
Additionally, recent years have witnessed instances where the law has been enforced, and as a result, the LGBT community faces regular discrimination and violence.
Certainly, an example illustrating the enforcement of discriminatory laws in Malaysia is the case that unfolded in August and September 2018.
As reported by the New Straits Times, Two Muslim women, identified as lesbians, were subjected to public caning under Sharia law in the state of Terengganu.Â
Despite widespread international and social protests condemning the punishment, it took place in a public forum, gaining significant attention and making headlines globally.
According to a recently released study by Global Trans Rights Index, Malaysia has been ranked as the second worst country in the world for transgender rights.Â
This comes as no surprise as the country received a score of -105 and the highest danger rating of F.
The study, conducted by researchers Asher and Lyric Fergusson and published on their travel site, highlighted the obstacles faced by transgender individuals in Malaysia, including police targeting.
The study also identified Saudi Arabia, Malawi, and the United Arab Emirates as other countries with poor transgender rights protections.
The criminalization of “cross-dressing” is prevalent in eight of the top ten worst countries for transgender people, with penalties that can include imprisonment.
Guyana ranked as the worst country due to high levels of violence against transgender individuals. In contrast, neighboring countries like Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei fared better in the rankings.
The study identified Malta, Portugal, Canada, Sweden, and Bolivia as the top five countries with the most favorable conditions for the transgender community.
The research took into account factors such as LGBTQ+ worker protections, legal safeguards against discrimination, hate-based violence criminalization, transgender legal identity laws, and transgender murder rates.
The study by the Fergussons, based in Iowa, followed their previous release of an LGBTQ+ Danger Index, which assessed the safety of countries for the community.
While transgender rights remain unrecognized by the Malaysian government, recent events, such as the seizure of watches linked to LGBTQ+ rights by the Home Ministry, have added to concerns.
Simultaneously, there have also been calls to implement a law similar to Russia’s to restrict LGBT propaganda.
Earlier this week, The Star reported Bersatu Youth Chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal urging the government to enact laws that restrict the LGBTQ propaganda here in Malaysia.
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