SIS: Respect all M’sians regardless of their gender

PETALING JAYA: Sisters in Islam (SIS) has called on Malaysians to extend the spirit of compassion, perseverance and love to all, including the marginalised communities.

In a statement, the group said the attack against a transgender in Seremban last week was a disturbing sign of the times for “Malaysia Baru” (new Malaysia).

Muslims, it said, were obligated to accord respect and honour to all fellow human beings, regardless of their walk of life and gender identities.

“Islam teaches us that it is not right to belittle, tease, defame and be sarcastic and to call each other by offensive nicknames.

“Sadly, this sort of assault is not something new. These hate-driven hostilities have been happening in the country for decades already, many even resulted in deaths.

“It is therefore disturbing that in a country that aspires to leave no one behind in its progress, some minority groups have been betrayed in the promise of inclusivity,” it said.

It was reported that police had arrested an individual for assaulting the transgender with a weapon last Wednesday.

Seremban district deputy police chief Supt Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said the suspect had been remanded for five days.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh and Syahredzan Johan, the political secretary to Lim Kit Siang, condemned the incident.

SIS said conversations on the issue – both online and offline – also reflected an increase in violence and animosity towards the community.

“Statements by most MPs and religious figures within the country have only contributed to fanning the flames of resentment towards the community.

“Such tactless comments include labelling it as a ‘lifestyle’ and suggesting that the ‘practice’ should be kept away from the public eye,” it said, adding that it was unfortunate that the cruellest violence seemed to stem from Islamic groups.

“Disturbingly, where the brutality of both language and inhumane action is concerned, we see little difference between locals who attack LGBTs and Islamist terrorists,” said SIS.

In the era of Malaysia Baru, SIS said hate should not be allowed “to tear us apart as a community”.