Fridae

A prominent transgender activist has been attacked by two men with iron rods outside her home last week.

Ayub is the winner of Human Rights Watch's Alison Des Forges Award, which celebrates the valour of individuals who put their lives at risk to protect the rights and dignity of others.

Aruba described the attack on Facebook: “It was a shocking moment for me. They use iron rod, hit my head. I fell and hurt my ankle, a slash on my leg. It was a horrific moment for me. Lucky my mum that always look from the window when I go to work saw everything and bcs of her screaming, they ran away.”

The activist later posted confirming her dedication to equality and that she would not be deterred by violence.

“I’m repeating what I said before, u can put me in jail, u can hurt me, u can even kill me but u can never take away my identity as a transgender woman. My work as an advocate will never stop until my last breath,” she said.

The attack was also condemned by human rights group Suaram. "We implore the police force to take swift action against the perpetrators and ensure that those who plot to commit such deplorable acts be dealt with according to the law without any favours or discrimination," said Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy

The attack comes days after tourism minister Nazri Aziz said LGBTI Malaysians would never be granted equal rights ‘because it is not allowed in Islam.’