Siti Kasim trial: Enforcement team was obstructed, claims Jawi officer

KUALA LUMPUR: A Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) enforcement team faced an extraordinary (luar biasa) situation when conducting a raid at a transgender beauty pageant event two years ago, the magistrate's court heard Thursday (Sept 6).

Jawi enforcement division assistant director Akmal Nadzim Abdullah, 45, said the team was tasked with carrying out the raid at the ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel here on April 3, 2016, following a tip-off.

He said once they arrived, enforcement officers were assigned to guard the entrance and exit of the ballroom.

"There was an unusual commotion in the hall as attendees in the ballroom obstructed us from discharging our duty," Akmal said before magistrate Maizatul Munirah Abd Rahman.

.Akmal was testifying in the trial of lawyer Siti Kasim, who was charged with obstructing Jawi enforcement officer Siti Nor Jihan Saleh @ Md Ghazali from executing her duties during the raid at the hotel at about 10.30pm on April 3, 2016.

Asked by deputy public prosecutor Hafizza Sauni what he and his team did when they first entered the ballroom, Akmal said they observed the goings-on at the event.

"I saw about 100 people in the hall who were spectators. I also saw about another 20 people standing on stage, whom we guessed were participants based on what they wore such as sashes and crowns, among other things.

"At the same time, a woman came towards me. I introduced myself while showing my authority card. I then explained our purpose for being there," he said.

Akmal said he also explained that the raid was being conducted under Section 9 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories Act) 1997 for breaching a fatwa (edict) which states that Muslims are not allowed to take part in beauty pageants.

He later identified the woman who approached him that day as Siti Kasim.

Earlier, Akmal said a total of 16 enforcement officers, including Siti Nor Jihan, went to the hotel at about 10.20pm after attending a briefing conducted by him at Jawi's office.

"At the briefing, I explained to the officers that a beauty pageant event would be held at the Renaissance Hotel that night.

"I also told them that the inspection should be conducted under Section 9 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories Act) 1997 as the event was participated by transgenders," he said.

The trial continues on Oct 15.- Star