Hate Crime In Malaysia.

The local newspapers were almost silent about this, but luckily, some sources picked it up from being swept under the carpet:

"Ayu, a male-to-female transsexual, was seriously beaten by state religious officials who detained her while she was talking to friends at the Old Melaka bus station in Kota Melaka, Melaka (Malacca) state, southwest Malaysia at around 11.30pm on 30 July. Ayu may be at risk of further abuse, and other transsexual people may also be in danger.

Ayu was reportedly approached by three enforcement officers from the Melaka Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jabatan Agama Islam Melaka, JAIM), a local government body tasked with enforcing social norms based on Sharia law. The officials, all dressed in civilian clothes, reportedly punched and kicked Ayu when they detained her. One of them reportedly kicked her hard in the genital area. They only identified themselves as JAIM officials when bystanders intervened to try to prevent the assault. When she said she was in serious pain, they took her briefly to the local JAIM office, before transferring her to Melaka General Hospital. She had to undergo surgery on 31 July for a pre-existing abdominal hernia condition, which had been aggravated by the assault."

Full news here:
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA280022007

More here:
http://www.suaram.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=578&Itemid=30
(I wish they used the correct lingo here, it is SHE not HE and HER not HIM.)

I choose to believe there is a place for everyone here in Malaysia. However, what should we do when one group steps out of their borders and impose their values upon others in such disgusting manner? What should we do to prevent further violence against LGTs in the future?