A 20-year-old man disguised as a woman was fined RM4,900 by the Terengganu Syariah High Court for promoting immoral behavior through social media.
Senior High Court Judge Kamarul Azmi handed down the sentence after the accused, Muhammad Haikal Izzwan from Kelantan, pleaded guilty.
The court also ordered that if the fine is not paid, he will serve a six-month jail term.
In his judgment, Kamarul Azmi noted that the accused’s actions had a significant negative impact on society and brought shame to his hometown, especially since the incident went viral online and was linked to a crackdown on “LGBT parties.”
The judge said the sentence aims to serve as a lesson to prevent the accused from engaging in further actions that would disgrace the state of Kelantan.
According to the case details, on the night of October 1, 2024, at 10 pm, the accused encouraged and promoted immoral conduct via social media from a homestay in Kemaman. Authorities seized 13 related items at the scene.
He was charged under Section 42 of the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Enactment 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000, up to three years imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
Earlier, the accused was arrested on July 20 for missing a court session and was granted bail of RM2,000 with one surety after being brought to the Syariah High Court on July 21.
Additionally, he was fined RM2,500 or four months imprisonment on July 22 by the Kemaman Syariah Court for cross-dressing under Section 33 of the same enactment.
