G25 expresses concern over govt’s ‘paranoia’ over Nur Sajat

PETALING JAYA: G25 has expressed concerns with the government's 'paranoia' against cosmetic entrepreneur Nur Sajat, who was arrested in Bangkok and waiting to be extradited to Malaysia.

"The authorities are becoming paranoid that Nur Sajat may be an inspiration for other transgenders to assert their human rights to be what they were born into," it said in a statement.

The group said the authorities are not respecting the fundamental rights of Nur Sajat and other transgenders guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

It added that Malaysia would be thrown into the world news cycle again "as a country that followed its own standards of human rights".

The group also urged the authorities to consider withdrawing the charge against Nur Sajat for cross-dressing.

G25 urges the Selangor Islamic religious authority to consider withdrawing the charge against Nur Sajat as under Section 30 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment. It claims that the act of cross-dressing by itself (cross-dressing per se) is not an offence.

Moderation advocate Anas Zubedy, on a Facebook post, also questioned why the authorities were focussing on capturing Nur Sajat.

"Perhaps our authorities can spend less energy, talent, resources and time on people like Sajat but focus on people who are jahat (evil).

Thai Immigration detained Nur Sajat for having an invalid passport at about 6pm on Sept 8.

The cosmetic entrepreneur has been released on bail and is believed to be seeking refuge under the UNCHR.

Jais wants Nur Sajat for failing to show up at the court to answer charges for dressing up as a woman.

The court had issued a warrant of arrest on Feb 23 after the entrepreneur failed to show up for case mention.

Since then, Nur Sajat was believed to have fled the country and went into hiding.

Police have also said that Nur Sajat is currently wanted for multiple offences in Malaysia, including criminal intimidation and preventing civil servants from performing their duties.