The Jakata Globe reports that Yulianus Rettoblaut, known as Mami Yuli (Mother Yuli) announced on Friday that she wanted to represent Indonesia's waria (transgender) community in the country's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnnas-Ham).

Speaking outside the Komnas-Ham in Central Jakarta after she submitted her application, Yuli said: 'Human rights cases implicating transgendered people have never been resolved. I hope that I can fill the position to solve those problems.' She cited education and caring for elderly transgender people who were often homeless as her priorities.

The National Commission on Human Rights was set up in Indonesia in 1993 and is an independent state agency charged with monitoring and mediation of human rights issues. Yuli, who is head of the Communication Forum of Indonesia Transgender and holds a law degree, will have to be selected by the commission's leadership to gain a place.

Indonesia has a significant transgender population but they face discrimination at school, when they seek employment and over who they can marry.