KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 ― Seed, a non-governmental organisation that assists transgenders, expressed gratitude today to Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for helping the group appeal to Putrajaya to continue its funding, saying that during her tenure, the former women’s minister had always been supportive of their cause.
Seed acting executive director Mitch Yusmar Yusof said when Shahrizat was still serving in Cabinet, the politician had even spent time with transwomen, the homeless, sex workers and other clients of Pusat Bantuan Khidmat Sosial (PBKS), which is operated by Seed in Chow Kit.
This, he said, is besides meeting directly with PBKS staff.
“Shahrizat was always very supportive of the work we’ve done for the community and it fills our hearts with so much warmth that she is still very supportive of our cause,” Mitch told Malay Mail Online.
“Thank you for leading the way in ensuring that everyone in Malaysia does not get left behind. Thank you for caring,” he added.
Shahrizat told Malay Mail Online yesterday that she is “hopeful” her successor Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim will re-evaluate the decision to stop aid totalling RM1 million to PBKS and to another Chow Kit-based centre, KL Krash Pad, starting next year.
Shahrizat had started PBKS during her time in ministry and the drop-in centre has been receiving RM700,000 from the government annually since 2007.
Shahrizat, who is also Wanita Umno chief, promised to adopt both welfare groups and to help them raise funds if the government does not continue extending them aid.
The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry recently informed PBKS and KL Krash Pad that their annual funding of RM700,000 and RM300,000, respectively, will stop beginning January 2015.
PBKS provides services for transgenders, sex workers and people with HIV, while KL Krash Pad is a centre serving street children and youth.
Yesterday, Mitch said Rohani has not visited the centre unlike predecessors Shahrizat and Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, urging her to do so before deciding to stop funding PBKS.
