Malaysia sends 'effeminate' boys to boot camp

Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian authorities' decision to send 66 schoolboys, who displayed feminine qualities, to a special camp for counselling on masculine behaviour has drawn flak from various sections of the society, including a minister.

"The experience of being singled out on the basis of perceived characteristics is an extremely traumatising experience, particularly for adolescent teens," Malaysia's Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said.

The state Education Department of Kuala Terrenganu had sent 66 secondary schoolboys, who had exhibited effeminate characteristics, to the four-day camp in Besut to help address the "problem".

"It is in clear violation of the Child Act under which every child is entitled to protection and assistance in all circumstances, regardless of characteristics like race, language and physical, mental or emotional disabilities," Shahrizat said.

Opposing the decision, several NGOs said such camps should be abolished as they are harmful and not in the children's best interest and highly discriminatory.

"The act of identifying and singling out boys who behave effeminately is highly discriminatory," an NGO said in a statement.

"Ideally, schools are supposed to provide a safe and neutral space for children to develop without fear of recrimination for being themselves. Such action insinuates that the department has developed a criterion for normal' behaviour, which is highly questionable," the NGOs said.

However, Terengganu Education Department director Razali Daud maintained that the department had acted "correctly".

He stressed that the boot camp has been designed to "prevent the boys from developing feminine traits which could hamper their future."

"They were carefully vetted before a final selection was made," he told The Star.

He said that "if such tendencies were not curbed at a young age, it would lead to bigger problems for them in the future."

The camp, which started on Monday, includes physical training, motivational activities and spiritual talks.