Transgender Woman Flees Malaysia After Prison Threat for Wearing Hijab
Transgender entrepreneur Nur Sajat Kamaruzzaman has claimed that her breasts and genitals were touched when she was arrested by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) officers in January.
Media reports The New York Times (NYT) reported yesterday that a detailed report on the experience of Nur Jat. Where he alleges at least three officers kicked, dropped and pulled him during the arrest.
Nur Sajat said, the officer replied that they could feel her breasts and genitals because Nur Sajat was a man.
"They consider it appropriate to touch my private parts and breasts because they consider me a man.
"They didn't treat me with mercy or humanity," said Nur Sajat.
The NYT reported that the alleged assault occurred on the same day he was indicted in sharia court and he was placed overnight in a male detention center.
On 13 Jan, JAIS said that it had summoned its enforcers to explain the incident after Sajat lodged a police report alleging the violent treatment. At the time, it was not publicly alleged by Sajat and the matter was also not mentioned by JAIS or the police.
She explained to NYT that no further action had been taken against the officers after their statement was recorded. NYT also reported that JAIS has refused to comment.
Sajat fled to Thailand last month after Malaysian authorities issued an arrest warrant over her failure to attend a Shariah Court hearing. She was detained by Thai immigration in Bangkok after the Malaysian government voided her passport.
Sajat fled to Australia recently while holding a United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Card and has been granted political asylum after arriving there on 18 Oct.
