Malaysia will celebrate her 47th year of independence soon. While there is a great reason for all to rejoice, one particular group - the transsexuals - has valid reasons to feel otherwise.

Transsexuals in this country have no avenues to turn to for help or advice. They face instant discrimination, be it from the society or their family members for coming out as transsexuals or mak nyah (the term used locally).

Work is hard to come by for them because of their appearance and many people sadly treat mak nyah as freaks. It is a very sad but real situation in Malaysia.

To make matters worse, mak nyah who have undergone sex reassignment surgery (SRS) (which is not permissible in Malaysia for Muslim mak nyah after a fatwa was issued) cannot have their new sex listed on their identity card.

As far as the National Registration Department is concerned, SRS or not, a mak nyah's gender remains as the one stated on their birth certificate.

The same problem surfaces when the mak nyah want to use their new name (of the opposite sex) for their identity cards. They must produce medical documents as proof but still, their gender will be listed as according to their birth certificate.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi preaches about racial unity between one and all. Has he overlooked the harassment and discrimination faced by mak nyah? Is he oblivious to their existence?

Why is the government reluctant to accept the existence of mak nyah in our midst? Is one reason due to the fact that a large number of the mak nyah are Malay Muslims?

The government's nonchalant attitude in dealing with the issue of mak nyah only serves to go against our nation's policy of 'love thy neighbour'.

The mak nyah are not asking much. Like the rest of us, they too would like for their existence to be acknowledged. Is that too much to ask?

As it stands today, the mak nyah have little to shout about come Aug 31. While the nation celebrates its independence, can we spare a thought for Malaysian transsexuals and their freedom?