Cosmetic entrepreneur Nur Sajat confirmed that she has permanently left for Australia, citing that she did not feel safe in Malaysia amid a syariah court case against her for "dressing as a woman" at a religious event three years ago.
The 36-year-old also confirmed she has been granted permanent residence status in Australia where she plans to restart her business.
Sajat, a transperson, acknowledged that she was leaving family, property and business behind but said she cannot be happy in Malaysia.
"Now that I'm free, I can carry on with my life. Money can be earned but happiness can't be bought. For me, I'm happy being in a country that accepts who I am, and that's what I really want.
"Over there (Malaysia) I wasn't happy, but because I still have respect, I chose to leave. I just want to find freedom, that's all," said Sajat through an Instagram live session at around 4pm Malaysia time earlier today.
Throughout the video, she repeatedly said she is now in a much happier place and thanked parties including the Australian Embassy for their assistance.
Currently in self-quarantine after arriving in Sydney from Thailand, Sajat said her immediate plans include accepting an interview with a local Australian media interested in her story.
Responding to her followers, Sajat denied she was fleeing from debtors, stating that she had attended every hearing for a suit filed against her in 2018 by a Malaysian company.
Instead, Sajat said she only chose to leave Malaysia following the syariah case against her.
"I gave up because I feel the (syariah) case should not have happened. I felt unsafe and so I fled. After that when the (syariah) case was called in February, I did not show up in court," she said.
An arrest warrant had been issued against her for not attending the court hearing.
Sajat had pleaded not guilty to a charge under Section 10 (a) of the Syariah Crimes (State of Selangor) Enactment 1995 which provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both, if convicted.
She was accused of dressing up as a woman at a religious event and brought Islam into contempt.
'Religion a personal matter'
Questioned on her religious belief, Sajat said: "Religion is a personal matter".
"If I am still a Muslim, let me be with my Islam, and you with yours. You do not need to judge me, and we will respect each other.
"There is no need to say 'Sajat has sinned'... While I appreciate that you feel you need to advise me, but I have my stand, and we just respect each other," she said.
Asked about her ties with Malaysia, Sajat hinted that she is at a point of no return, while maintaining communication with her parents and adopted children.
In September, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Abd Jalil Hassan confirmed that Sajat was arrested, charged and fined by Thailand immigration authorities for using an invalid passport.
Malaysian immigration authorities had voided her passport and then informed Thai authorities in an apparent bid to extradite her.
Abd Jalil had reportedly said that Sajat was also wanted in Malaysia under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public officer and Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to obstruct a public officer.
It was also reported that Sajat had applied for refugee status from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Bangkok and was preparing to move to Australia, even as Malaysia deliberated on her extradition. - Mkini
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