The Malaysian Insider
by Boo Su-Lyn
by Boo Su-Lyn
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry urged the Terengganu Education Department today to abolish a boot camp for “sissies” as it violated the Child Act 2001.
Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the Besut boot camp for 66 “sissies”, which started on Sunday according to the New Straits Times, could stir prejudice against the schoolboys and subsequently affect their mental health.
“We believe that such ‘boot camps’ must be abolished on the basis that they are harmful and do not serve the best interest of the child, and are therefore in clear violation of the Child Act 2001,” said Shahrizat in a statement today.
“Every child is entitled to protection and assistance in all circumstances without regard to distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, social origin or physical, mental or emotional disabilities or any other status,” added the minister, referring to the preamble of the Act.
The New Straits Times reported yesterday that the Terengganu Education Department had sent 66 secondary schoolboys with “effeminate tendencies” to a camp aimed at helping them behave appropriately.
Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the Besut boot camp for 66 “sissies”, which started on Sunday according to the New Straits Times, could stir prejudice against the schoolboys and subsequently affect their mental health.
“We believe that such ‘boot camps’ must be abolished on the basis that they are harmful and do not serve the best interest of the child, and are therefore in clear violation of the Child Act 2001,” said Shahrizat in a statement today.
“Every child is entitled to protection and assistance in all circumstances without regard to distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, social origin or physical, mental or emotional disabilities or any other status,” added the minister, referring to the preamble of the Act.
The New Straits Times reported yesterday that the Terengganu Education Department had sent 66 secondary schoolboys with “effeminate tendencies” to a camp aimed at helping them behave appropriately.
Department director Razali Daud explained that the four-day camp in Besut admitted boys identified by their schools for displaying “feminine qualities”.
He said the 66 schoolboys were showing behaviours that were not “usually displayed by a normal male of their age.”
“We understand that some people end up as mak nyah (transvestites) or homosexuals, but we will do our best to limit the number,” Razali was quoted as saying.
The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) had also urged the Terengganu Education Department to abolish the boot camp.
The women’s rights group said earlier today the camp was against human rights and that it promotes homophobia and prejudice.
JAG also said the state Education Department was violating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Malaysia ratified in 1995, as all children were guaranteed equal rights and treatment without exception under that treaty.
“The ministry views with alarm and great concern the act of sending 66 schoolboys with effeminate tendencies to a camp with the aim of ‘correcting’ their behaviour,” said Shahrizat.
“The experience of being singled out on the basis of perceived characteristics is an extremely traumatising experience, in particular for adolescent teens. Such profiling has potentially serious psychological repercussions and could harm the development and mental health of the children, as it exposes them to prejudices among their peers and members of their family and community,” she added.
The New Straits Times quoted Razali as saying the link between effeminate behaviour among male students and transsexuality should be a matter of concern that should not be ignored.
He added that the state Education Department was not intervening with the process of nature as it was “merely trying to guide these students to a proper path in life”.
The students will be attending physical education and religious classes conducted by motivational speakers.
He said the 66 schoolboys were showing behaviours that were not “usually displayed by a normal male of their age.”
“We understand that some people end up as mak nyah (transvestites) or homosexuals, but we will do our best to limit the number,” Razali was quoted as saying.
The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) had also urged the Terengganu Education Department to abolish the boot camp.
The women’s rights group said earlier today the camp was against human rights and that it promotes homophobia and prejudice.
JAG also said the state Education Department was violating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Malaysia ratified in 1995, as all children were guaranteed equal rights and treatment without exception under that treaty.
“The ministry views with alarm and great concern the act of sending 66 schoolboys with effeminate tendencies to a camp with the aim of ‘correcting’ their behaviour,” said Shahrizat.
“The experience of being singled out on the basis of perceived characteristics is an extremely traumatising experience, in particular for adolescent teens. Such profiling has potentially serious psychological repercussions and could harm the development and mental health of the children, as it exposes them to prejudices among their peers and members of their family and community,” she added.
The New Straits Times quoted Razali as saying the link between effeminate behaviour among male students and transsexuality should be a matter of concern that should not be ignored.
He added that the state Education Department was not intervening with the process of nature as it was “merely trying to guide these students to a proper path in life”.
The students will be attending physical education and religious classes conducted by motivational speakers.
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