A man is facing a fine of up to RM3,000 or imprisonment of up to two years after being charged for undergoing gender reassignment, an offence under the Syariah Criminal Code (I) 2019, at the Kelantan Syariah Court earlier this month.
A source from the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jaheaik) said the prosecution followed the enforcement of the law in 2020.
The individual was apprehended during a Jaheaik operation at an event involving a group of transgender individuals earlier this month.
“The case is still in the management stage after the accused pleaded not guilty. This marks the first gender reassignment charge filed in the Syariah Court in the state,” the source said.
The charge is made under Section 18 of the Syariah Criminal Code (I) 2019, which criminalises changing one’s own gender or that of another person. If convicted, the accused could face a fine of up to RM3,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Islamic Development, Da’wah, Information, and Community Relations Committee Chairman Mohd Asri Mat Daud said details of the case cannot be publicly disclosed as the trial is ongoing.
“In this matter, we must protect all parties involved who are under investigation,” he said.
