Transgender Malaysians in Kelantan find refuge amid tougher scrutiny

In Malaysia’s conservative Kelantan state, a mother’s acceptance has given her transgender daughter a refuge as public scrutiny and legal pressure increase. Rozi, 58, initially struggled when her daughter Hana began transitioning but decided that rejecting her could drive her away from the family. Hana now returns home regularly, attends family gatherings and brings transgender friends to meals.

Kelantan’s sharia laws penalise gender transition and cross-dressing among Muslims. Recent prosecutions have increased concern within the transgender community, many of whose members now dress more conservatively and limit outings to avoid attention from religious enforcement officers. The state recorded its first reported prosecution under a provision criminalising gender change in February.

Last month, lawmakers approved a revised sharia criminal offences bill that retained penalties for Muslims who change gender, assist another person in doing so or induce a transition without a permitted Islamic reason. On September 8, a 25-year-old transgender person pleaded not guilty to a charge of posing as a woman by wearing women’s clothing. The offence carries a possible fine, imprisonment or both.

Rights group Justice for Sisters said the measures restrict transgender people’s ability to work, move freely and socialise. Hana said her family’s acceptance was enough, while taking care to avoid drawing attention in public.