you

are here: Home | National

Ruling safeguards transgender women

from harassment - says transgender
singer, Rozz
Astro Awani | Updated: November 09, 2014
(First published on: November 07, 2014 23:55 MYT)

"I dress as a female for work," said transgendered woman Rozz Ritzman. - Photo
courtesy of Rozz Ritzman
KUALA LUMPUR: The landmark Court of Appeal ruling that transgenders will
now no longer be punished for cross-dressing has received an all-round thumbs
up from transgender women in the country.

The verdict overturns a 2012 High Court ruling, which had dismissed the
challenge by three appellants over their arrest four years ago under the law,
stating the appellants must adhere to the law as they are Muslims and born male.

The appellants -- Muhammad Juzaili Mohd Khamis, Shukor Jani and Wan Fairol
Wan Ismail -- had been arrested (in Negeri Sembilan) several times for violating
the state enactment which led to them filing a judicial review to declare the
Syariah Act unconstitutional.

Its a relief for many, I am sure, to know that they are now able to get to and
from work without facing the threat of being arrested looming over their heads,"
said club performer, Rozz Ritzman.

"The majority of the transgendered who live in this country are not prostitutes
or criminals - they are people, like you and me, who have real jobs to go to, said
the 30-something Rozz.

Rozz recalled an incident which took place in Negeri Sembilan not too long ago
when a wedding reception was marred after it was raided by the state religious
officials.

The raid led to the arrest of transgendered 'mak andams' and some of the guests,
said Rozz, adding that the arrest was allegedly due to them dressing the wrong
way.

"It was absolutely outrageous, said Rozz, who is well-known for his melodious
and raspy vocals and has a huge following among music aficionados and regulars
at his shows.

"I dress as a female for work," said Rozz, who is regularly seen donning
flamboyant dresses, classic Egyptian kohl eyes and thick lashes for his largely
sold-out gigs.

In his typical straightforward demeanour, Rozz nonchalantly admitted that life
isn't entirely a bed of roses.

"Nobody will ever be able to fathom how it feels to be ostracized, marginalized
and looked down upon on a daily basis, simply for being born the way we are.
Some of us don't even have family to turn to. It is not an easy life.

Rozz added: "Some of us lucked out and managed to survive through the all the
harassment and bullying, and graduated from school and find ourselves jobs
which in itself is already a feat, given the circumstances, should we not be
assured safe passage for us to go about our daily lives?

"Constitutional right is given to all Malaysians, we are just asking for the same.
We are not asking to be allowed to marry, we are not asking to be given special
privileges, we are just asking to not being harassed by the authorities. We are
asking for the people who are supposed to protect us, to not treat us like we are
criminals," said Rozz.

"The overturning of the syariah court decision safeguards their rights to go to
work and earn a decent and honest living without facing harassment," Rozz
concluded.

The Court of Appeal, on Friday declared unconstitutional a provision in the
Negeri Sembilan Islamic religious enactment which made it an offence for
Muslim males to dress and behave as women.

A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamuddin Mohd Yunus said section 66
of the Shariah Criminal Enactment violated Articles 5, 8, 9, and 10 of the Federal
Constitution.


The law, said Hishamuddin in an interview with The Malaysian Insider is the
effect of denying the appellants and other sufferers of GID [Gender Identity
Disorder] to move freely in public places.

Perak Mufti Tan Sri Dr.Harussani Zakaria described the landmark Court of
Appeal ruling that transgenders will no longer be punished for cross-dressing as
going against Allahs teachings.

The decision by the Court of Appeal, said lawyer Syahredzan Johan towards the
three sections of transgenders as unconstitutional does not mean that the
enactment in other states are revoked.

In an interview with Astro AWANI, Syahredzan stated that the decision by the
Court of Appeal provides the opportunity for the transgendered punished under
the similar enactment to challenge it (the decision) at the Civil Court.

To get more news updates at your fingertips, download the Astro Awani mobile application on
the App Store or Google Playstore.
Tags: transgendered woman, Rozz, performer, cross-dressing, Negeri Sembilan

Related Stories

Floods strike Negeri Sembilan, raising to 132,000 number of evacuees

nationwide
NS to appeal against cross-dressing case
Negeri Sembilan MB refutes allegations on Sedition Act
Transgender case: Negeri Sembilan govt to appeal on two legal aspects
AirAsia profit falls in Q3 but revenue steady

Read more at: http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/ruling-safeguards-
transgender-women-harassment-says-transgender-singer-rozz-47935?cp