Minister gives 'full licence' for authorities to act against transgenders

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri has given “full licence” to the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) to take action against the transgender community.

He said it is not just about arrests, but also to provide religious education so that the transgender community will “return to the right path”.

“I have given all Jawi authorities full licence to carry out its enforcement actions, as well as they can, in the Federal Territories.

“With the condition that they must comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) which have been put in place,” Zulkifli (above) said in a Facebook post today.

Previously, cosmetic entrepreneur Nur Sajat, who is transgender, went viral among netizens again for her controversial posts on social media where she allegedly wore inappropriate outfits.

Sajat’s posts have incited netizens who urged the authorities to take action against her.

Pencetus Ummah (PU) member Syed Bakri al-Yahya was one of those who urged the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government to take strict action on this issue.

He urged PAS leaders, ministers, and religious officers to take immediate action against Nur Sajat (photo) who he described as becoming "more daring" as she had posted pictures of herself wearing a bikini on social media.

“I remember under Pakatan Harapan’s minister in charge of religious affairs Mujahid Yusof Rawa, when he was friendly towards the LGBT community, we criticised him for not being firm on this issue. Now we hope the PN minister in charge will explain this issue.

“If during Harapan’s time, we said the minister was not performing and so on, we hope the minister now, under PN, will carry out his duties, that the officers will carry out their duties, and the religious department responsible will take action.

“Please convey to the minister in charge and PAS, for example, what we need to do or what the NGOs stand is, to prevent what is happening,” Syed said on social media.

Zulkifli had said that Islam is a religion that seeks to educate and it is the authorities’ responsibility to mentor those who have strayed from the path so that they will change.

“We do not want to just arrest them, but what is most important is tarbiah (educate) them wisely so that they (transgender community) will come back to the right path.

“Islam is a religion that seeks to educate. This requires coordinated efforts from all agencies under the religious affairs department in the prime minister’s department,” he said. - Mkini