The article itself claimed ‘though to
date neither fact nor specific study was carried out to prove this, the theory
of we are what we eat can lead us to think rationally in regards to this
phenomenon (Transgender is now a phenomenon?). The assault then continues 2
weeks later with ‘Wanita Ancaman Pondan’ (Women a threat to Transgender Women) from Wanita Hari Ini again.
An open letter sent by Jellene Eva (as mentioned in Malaysia Kini) to TV3
and other major newspaper reads:
By Jellene Eva
Dear Editors,
After viewing the
talkshow programme hosted by TV3 - Wanita Hari Ini "Pondan Ancaman
Wanita" on 4th October 2011, I was utterly disgusted in the way the
station has portrayed women and transsexuals in Malaysia. Not only has the
programme stereotyped women as only working as Makeup Artists or Wedding
Planners, but also suggested that women are weak and whiny when faced with the
competitive working industry. In attempt to raise viewer rating, I felt TV3 has
chosen a topic that is unethical and unnecessary. It does not educate but
rather ridicule the public.
It is very
unprofessional for the hosts themselves to be not educated in the area of
discussion before the show. By combining both the terms "Pondan" and
"MakNyah", they confuse everyone about the issue and incite hate
towards the prejudiced. "Pondan" refers to effeminate MEN, which are
Lelaki Lembut. Whereas "MakNyah" refers to Transsexuals which are
males that desire to be totally female, usually undergoing surgery to alter the
body. Pondan or Lelaki Lembut are usually flamboyant men that IDENTIFY
themselves as MEN/LELAKI.
A point that was
brought forward in the show was, "women are threatened because the pondans
are monopolizing the makeup industry". This is wrong as Culinary Arts,
Makeup and Hairstyling industries are dominated by men. Masculine men in fact.
The title instead should be "Lelaki Ancaman Wanita", because these
men are doing what used to be thought as women's job. We have come a long way
to recognize that women no longer are subjected to careers in beauty only, but
also very capable in previously male-dominated careers like police force,
entrepreneurship, civil engineering... etc. Equal career opportunities are
given and the best person gets the job, there is no grounds for women in
complaining that their work is being taken from them. This violates the
Malaysian Constitution that guarantees equality and non-discrimination on the
basis of gender.
I am also
appalled when pondan/maknyah are accused of "stealing" the husbands
from women. Blaming others of the unfaithfulness of ones husband is very
childish and illogical. Happiness and trust between man and wife requires more
than just sex and food, there is so much more to marriage. Both sides should
seek family counselors when faced with cheating, instead of putting the blame
on some innocent person. It is the husband that is cheating, not the
transsexual, and so she does not deserve to be held responsible for the men's
actions.
Pondans/MakNyahs
were then further insulted by being accused of backstabbing their closest girl
friends to achieve better careers or having affairs with their husbands. Such
baseless accusation are tasteless and should not appear on national television.
A statement like this without factual support is considered a serious
defamation and blatant discriminatory against the pondan/maknyah community.
Equally
inappropriate are the panel for discussion. Fatin Sarjat, a university student;
Dr. Edward Chan, who is an unqualified psychologist; and Azwan Ali, who is a
crossdresser.I have checked with Dr. Alvin Ng, President of Malaysian Society
of Clinical Psychology (MSCP), that "Dr." Edward Chan is not a
registered clinical psychologist of the association, and is NOT QUALIFIED to
explain the situation to the mass public. According to The British
Psychological Society newsletter "The Psychologist" Vol 19 No 10 on
October 2006, Mr. Chan has been denounced of his qualification as a clinical
psychologist since 2001. Mr. Chan was then ordered by the conduct committee to
"refrain from practising as an independent psychologist until he obtains
appropriate postgraduate qualifications that are recognised by the society and
must stop representing himself as a qualified practitioner". Due to the
reasons above, he's views are not to be taken as reference for the issue
discussed.
Azwan Ali, is a
crossdresser. He is a pondan in all its definition - a soft BOY/effeminate MEN.
Crossdressers are people that dress up as the opposite sex for the thrills of
it, but is totally comfortable with their sexual organs. He cannot represent
the maknyah community because he never had the need to be a woman. He was
having fun being flamboyant, which he still is adorning large golden rings and
bracelets on the show.
Cik Fatin Sarjat
is included i believe for the views from the younger generation, but it is not
appropriate for her to tell her views about religion on this issue, when she
herself is not well versed in her religion and do not show a good example. Her
hair is let loose, and dyed golden, in tight clothes, whilst commenting on how
pondan is wrong in the words of the Quran - foolish!
All citizens of
Malaysia are protected under the Federal Constitution and Defamation Act 1957.
Under no circumstances should any discrimination or defamation be broadcast to
incite hate towards Malaysians, regardless of gender. I believe it's necessary
that TV3 release a public apology for the slanderous broadcast made.
(To date, no reply has been received from TV3 on this – unless you count
Wanita Ancaman Pondan as a reply.)
Given Malaysian’s population of 28 million and if the common belief that
LGBTIQPAs make up 10% of the population is true (I firmly believe the
percentage is higher), we would have ourselves a community of 2.8 million people
and it’s a big number, isn’t it?
Imagine 2.8 million Malaysians who are not given voices, are constantly
harassed mentally, emotionally and physically (which includes sexual harassment
and abuse) on a daily basis and being sent death threats due to their sexual
orientation, gender identity and self-expression. They are living their daily
lives being denied by their own families & were kicked out from homes,
humane love, housing needs, proper education, access to healthcare, equal job
opportunities, safe spaces, legal protection and basic needs granted to the
rest of us without a blink of an eye (which we take for granted, daily).
If one day you should lose your basic needs such as family, food,
clothing, housing, right to live & love, job, money and all the luxuries
that life offers you, how would you feel? Do reach within and hold on to your
humanity. Think for a second; not too long ago, women were being treated as
less than a minority, if not for suffrage and feminist movements, we might still
remain as cooking, washing, breeding and sex slaves to a patriarchal society.
