On Tuesday 17 transwomen were arrested during a raid on a wedding party in the state of Negri Sembilan.
The Sharia code in Negri Sembilan currently criminalizes “any male person who, in any public place wears a woman’s attire or poses as a woman”.
An appeals court is set to rule to determine whether the law violates fundamental rights guaranteed in Malaysia’s constitution. The court was expected to rule on the case by May, but the hearing was delayed until July 17.
Several states in Malaysia have similar restrictions on “cross-dressing” as part of religious codes.
According to The Malay Mail, the women all pleaded guilty for violating Sharia code and face 7 days in jail and a fine equal to $300 US. If they cannot pay their fines within the seven days, they may face six months imprisonment. One of the women arrested is a minor and faces a year of “counseling” by the religious affairs department.
The transgender rights group Justice for Sisters has launched a fundraising campaign to raise bail money for the women, which would in total equal around $8500 US.
“They will be sentenced to a male prison, heads shaved, psychological impact is high!” the group stated on their Facebook page.
