A 25-YEAR-OLD male social media influencer was detained by the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) early Monday morning while livestreaming on TikTok dressed in women’s clothing near Banda Hilir.
JAIM director Datuk Md Azhan Samat said the man, who is unmarried, was apprehended by officers from the department’s enforcement division at around 1.30am following public complaints.
“At the time of the arrest, the individual was found wearing a purple blouse, a hair bun wig, women’s shoes and earrings,” he said in a statement. “All these items were confiscated by the religious enforcement team to be used as case evidence.”
The individual was taken to JAIM’s office for documentation and further investigation.
Md Azhan added that the raid followed reports from members of the public who were uncomfortable with the individual’s actions, alleging that he was promoting and normalising LGBT lifestyles in Malaysia.
He advised Muslims to refrain from adopting LGBT behaviours, stressing that such practices are forbidden in Islam and could offend public sensitivities.
“This conduct is also in breach of existing laws that do not support any form of LGBT expression in the country,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 72 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Melaka) 1991, which deals with men behaving like women. If convicted, the individual could face a fine not exceeding RM1,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both. - July 7, 2025
