It is a fact which has been thoroughly documented that transgender persons in Malaysia encounter harassment, discrimination and subject to physical assaults.
Sends a harmful message that it is tolerable for employers to turn away or discriminate against job seekers and candidates based on the reasons outlined in the provision.
A 2016 World Bank study found that homophobia alone was estimated to cost India’s economy up to $32 billion a year, approximately 1.7% of its gross domestic product (GDP).
Such targeted stigma, discrimination and criminalisation inevitably lead to the further marginalisation of an already marginalised community, which is a disaster for public health.
Everyone is equally entitled to the rights and protections provided for under Malaysian law and that includes being able to walk about without having to fear being beaten up or subject to physical and mental harm.