PGSM forms 'Lawyers' For Islam' group on issue of cross-dressing

The Malaysian Syarie Lawyers Association (PGSM) today formed the 'Lawyers For Islam' group to assist the party concerned to file an appeal at the Federal Court regarding the case of men donning women's dresses in public places.

Its secretary, Moeis Basri said the group respected the decision of the Court of Appeal (COA) which allowed men to wear women's clothings in public places, but felt that the case should be heard again by the Federal Court as the act went against Islamic syariat.

"Through the group, we will meet and assist the government, State Islamic Religious Council and the institution concerning Islam which were involved to present the legal aspects in the court proceedings," he said at a media conference here.

He said that the 'Lawyers For Islam' group, whose members comprise lawyers from the civil and syariah courts, would act as the 'Rapid Response Team' to give feedback on current issues pertaining to Islam.

Last Friday, the Appeals Court 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.

Subsequently, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the state government would file an appeal at the Federal Court on the decision of the Court of Appeal as soon as possible.