Malaysia: Federal court reviewing 2014 pro-trans ruling

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…

Supporters of the Malaysian trans activist group Justice for Sisters celebrate their victory in November 2014, when the Appelate Court declared that Section 66 of Negri Sembilan Shariah law is unconstitutional. (Photo courtesy of TheMalayMailOnline.com) — Supporters of the Malaysian trans activist group Justice for Sisters celebrate their victory in November 2014, when the Appelate Court declared that Section 66 of Negeri Sembilan sharia law is unconstitutional. (Photo courtesy of TheMalayMailOnline.com)

The Federal Court in Putrajaya, Malaysia, is scheduled to announce a preliminary decision Oct. 8 in a case involving a state-level sharia law (Syariah law) that makes cross-dressing a crime for Muslim men.

An appellate court ruled in 2014 that the law, which only applies in Negeri Sembilan state, is invalid. Negeri Sembilan appealed to the Federal Court to overturn that ruling on procedural grounds. The Federal Court is expected to rule this week on that procedural issue.

Three Muslim bridal make-up artists — Muhamad Juzaili Mohamad Khamis, 26, Syukor Jani, 28, and Wan Fairol Wan Ismail, 30 — began the legal process at the Civil High Court, seeking a declaration that Section 66 of the Negeri Sembilan Syariah Criminal Enactment 1992 is invalid and unconstitutional.

This is a timeline of recent rulings and legal arguments in the court case, published in Malay and in English by the trans activist group Justice for Sisters: