Putrajaya distances itself from speaker’s remarks on transgenders

PETALING JAYA: The government has distanced itself from a motivational speaker over remarks deemed insensitive to transgenders and HIV-infected patients during a recent World AIDS Day event organised by the health ministry.

The Federal Territory health department said Robiah K Hamzah’s remarks about transgenders were her personal views, and were based on her own experience dealing with HIV patients.

“Her views do not reflect that of the health ministry,” the department’s director, Dr Zainudin Abdul Wahab said in a statement to FMT.

He said the ministry dos not discriminate when it comes to treating and providing preventive measures for those living with HIV and AIDS.

The SEED Foundation, an organisation that deals with HIV patients and marginalised communities had accused Robiah of “extremely discriminatory comments”.

Among others, Robiah had reportedly said: “Mak Nyah kenapa nak tukar fitrah?” (Why should transgenders change their nature), “Siapa nak mandikan kamu bila kamu mati?” (Who will bathe your corpse when you die?) and “Mak Nyah mati sebagai lelaki” (Transgenders will die as men).

SEED said the statements were “utterly false” and showed Robiah’s ignorance about the subject.

It also questioned the health ministry’s invitation to Robiah. -FMT