Transgender people of the month
(February 2008)

Their marriage is "invalid" and will not be recognised by the law and religion, but for Jessie Chung and Joshua Beh the most important thing now is they are happy and satisfied with their relationship.

Chung, who was born a male and had undergone sex change operations three years ago, said "she" was fully aware of the Malaysian law that does not allow its citizens to change their gender in their identity cards and that their marriage is "invalid" according to the Marriage and Divorce Reform Act 1976.

"I'm very happy, grateful to the people surrounding us. We're very happy even though it (the marriage) is not recognised by the government, but it is recognised by my parents, his parents, which is very, very important. They are very loving, open minded and understanding," said Chung when interviewed by Bernama and Utusan Malaysia.

Chung and Beh held their lavish wedding reception for some 800 friends and relatives at a leading hotel here in November 2005. Believed to be the first of its kind in this country, Chung and Beh's marriage was blessed by peninsula-based Charismatic Church.

Three pastors from Bountiful Harvest, Shepherd's Centre and Assembly of Love presided over the solemn ceremony attended by some 800 relatives and friends. The couples' parents gave their consent for Chung and Beh to tie the knot and signed their customary marriage documents.

Donning a striking pink `baju kurung' and Beh in a batik shirt, Chung, who was smiling and happy throughout the interview, said she had no hard feelings against the authority and the church's remark that their marriage is illegal.

"For us, the customary marriage is very important and we're not fighting for legal status or asking legal recognition as long as our parents, relatives, friends accept our marriage. We've now settled down and both of us are keeping a very healthy relationship," said Beh, an accountant who hails from Ipoh.

To a question whether they are prepared to migrate if the situation does not permit them to live as husband and wife, Chung said she would not do so.

"I won't leave this country unless my parents or his parents, my relatives and friends don't accept me as what I'm now, then I have no choice, but not because of the government.

Chung, who had once lived in the United States, Canada and China, described Malaysia as the best Muslim country and peaceful, that all races in the country could live in peace and harmony.

Saying that she could have continued to stay in the United States where she could earn a lavish income with her qualification as a doctor 10 years ago, Chung said she decided to return to Malaysia because of her love for this country.

Chung, who is trained in nutritional therapy, now runs a natural health farm business in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.

"I'm happy with what I'm doing," she said, adding that she plans to settle down in Kuching.

Asked on their sex life, Chung, who described her sex life as "fantastic" said they were satisfied living as husband and wife.

On whether they would have "children", she said that they have no plans yet at the moment.
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