The Federal Court today overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision in November that the Shariah law on anti-cross dressing was unconstitutional and void.
It further said that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to declare the law unconstitutional and added the three transgenders had used the wrong legal procedure to start their action, The Malaysian Insider reported.
The three Muslim bridal make-up artists -- Muhamad Juzaili Mohamad Khamis, 26, Syukor Jani, 28, and Wan Fairol Wan Ismail, 30 -- had filed a judicial review application at the Civil High Court to seek declaration that Section 66 of the Negeri Sembilan Syariah Criminal (Negeri Sembilan) Enactment 1992, which criminalises Muslim men for cross-dressing, was invalid and unconstitutional.
On Oct 11, 2012, The Seremban High Court dismissed the three transgenders judicial review application and ruled that their rights under the Federal Constitution were to be disregarded as they were by virtue born male and Muslim.
READ: Transgender ruling: Do not challenge Allah's teachings - Perak Mufti
In the application they claimed that they had been arrested and harassed by authorities and also charged under Section 66 of the Enactment, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both, upon conviction.
PHOTO GALLERY: The Controversial Transgender Case Appeal
The allegedly male-to-female transsexuals or 'Mak Nyah' claimed they had been confirmed by a psychiatrist at Hospital Kuala Lumpur to suffer from GID (gender identity disorder).
On Nov 7, 2014, the Court of Appeal unanimously allowed their appeal to set aside the High Court ruling.
The Negeri Sembilan government, the Negeri Sembilan Department of Islamic Religious Affairs, its director, the Negeri Sembilan Syariah enforcement chief, and the Negeri Sembilan Chief Syarie prosecutor appealed against the decision.
On Aug 13, counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, representing the Negeri Sembilan government and the four others, raised a preliminary objection in the appeal saying that the bid by the three transgender people to challenge the state Syariah enactment was premature because there was no decision made by the public authority.
Suganthi Suparmaniam
Thu Oct 08 2015
The allegedly male-to-female transsexuals or 'Mak Nyah' claimed they had been confirmed by a psychiatrist at Hospital Kuala Lumpur to suffer from GID.
'For our country': China's patriots are buying the dip
Investors say the goal is to help the country, not make money.
ANALYSIS - Japan is a test case for Trump's tariff deals. But talks may be tortuous.
US ally, Japan seen as front runner to clinch deal.
INSIGHT - In first 100 days, Trump tells migrants 'leave the United States'
Trump moves to strip legal status from hundreds of thousands.
CIFTIS comes to Malaysia, ushering in new "Golden 50 Years" for China-Malaysia services trade
The 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) Malaysia Overseas Roadshow was held in Kuala Lumpur on April 25.
Japan compiles emergency economic package to ease tariff pain
Tariffs could have a significant effect on industries that support the economy such as automobiles and steel, Shigeru Ishiba says.
Trump demands free passage for US ships through Panama, Suez Canals
Both canals charge substantial transit fees, which can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on vessel size and cargo.
Fourth round of US-Iran nuclear talks to be held in Europe on May 3
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi had earlier announced that Washington and Tehran would meet again on May 3.
Trump trade war spreads more gloom across businesses worldwide
Trump's trade war pushes up costs, upends supply chains and stirs concerns about the global economy.
![[COLUMNIST] The trouble with Trump’s tariffs](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-04/81745217040_PresidentDonaldTrump.jpg "[COLUMNIST] The trouble with Trump’s tariffs")
[COLUMNIST] The trouble with Trump’s tariffs
If Powell hikes rates to fight stagflation, it could tank the economyspelling game over for Trump.
Letter from China: Savoring ASEAN through pho and coconut rolls in Nanning
ASEAN remains China's largest trading partner, up 7.1 per cent from a year earlier.
Even Porsche can't find its lane in China as foreign automaker sales skid
Sharp decline of legendary brand reflects wider China-market problems for all foreign automakers.
How AI is aiding Trump's immigration crackdown
There have been numerous cases of immigration officials acting on inaccurate AI data, rights advocates say.
100 days of DOGE: lots of chaos, not so much efficiency
DOGE efforts lead to bottlenecks, longer wait times for public, and brain drain.
US beef off the menu as the trade war hits Beijing's American-style restaurants
The US-China trade war means American beef - once the star ingredient - will soon be off the table.
Trump visa cuts and tariff hikes turn Chinese students away from American Dream
US tariffs could affect Chinese household budgets.
INSIGHT - Buick finally had cars Americans wanted to buy - then came tariffs
Three of Buick's top-sellling vehicles are made in South Korea and China and subject to tariffs
ANALYSIS - Tariff-hit China exporters reluctant to heed government calls to sell locally
Beijing is making increasingly louder calls on exporters to find local buyers as an alternative to the US market.
Tariffs cuts possible after Malaysia, US begin talks - Economist
Dr Geoffrey Williams says the recent 90-day pause presents a window of opportunity for Malaysia to negotiate better trade terms.
South Korea, US aim for trade package before tariff pause ends in July
The US and South Korea had a "very successful" meeting, says US Treasury Secretary.
AmCham China president says pharma companies have reported tariff exemptions on China imports
Anecdotally, companies are reporting that they are able to bring in some items without tariffs, says Michael Hart, the chamber's president.