THE Kelantan Syariah Court is handling its first case involving agender transition in accordance with the Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (I) 2019, since the law was gazetted in 2020.
A source from the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jaheaik) said the individual was arrested during an operation at an event involving a group of transgenders.
"Following that, a prosecution was filed against the suspect at the Kelantan Syariah Court recently on charges of changing gender," he told Sinar Harian.
According to him, the case is still at the management stage after the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He said the individual is believed to have changed his gender in the middle of last year.
Sources said the prosecution was done under Section 18 of the Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (I) 2019, relating to the offence of changing one's own gender or that of another person.
"If convicted, the person can be punished with a fine not exceeding RM3,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both," he said.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Islamic Development, Da'wah, Information and Public Relations Exco, Mohd Asri Mat Daud said his party could not disclose the details of the case publicly.
"I do not have complete information and there are issues that cannot be disclosed publicly. In this matter, I have to take care of all parties who are involved," he said. – February 4, 2026
