Cross-dressing by Muslim men: Muhyiddin feels COA's decision needs to be reviewed

The Deputy Prime Minister said, although he was not an expert in the matter, he felt the decision should be reviewed because of its huge implications to society.

"It is an extraordinary decision even though it is decided by the court. I read the statements of Islamic leaders such as muftis and the association representing Muslim lawyers who were surprised by decision," he told reporters here Sunday.

In light of this, he said the Attorney-General's Chambers and state Islamic religious authorities should appeal the decision.

Muhyiddin had earlier chaired a special meeting on the flash floods and landslides disaster in Cameron Highlands, at the National Security Council operations room here today.

The Appeals Court on Friday decided that the Negeri Sembilan Syariah law which provided punishment for Muslim men dressed in women's clothes in public as flouting the Federal Constitution.

Judge Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus, who led a three-judge panel, delivered the judgement after allowing an appeal by three men who worked as Mak Andam (beauticians) to set aside a decision by the High Court in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan which rejected their judicial review application to challenge the Syariah law.

Meanwhile, in KUALA LUMPUR, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom also suggested that state Islamic authorities appeal the decision.

He said this was necessary to safeguard Islam, besides it involved the integrity of state Islamic authorities.

"It is also to show the firmness of state Islamic authorities in curtailing lesbianism, gay, bisexual and transgender leanings among Muslims," he said in a statement.