KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian police have begun the process of requesting that the Thai government extradite cosmetic entrepreneur Nur Sajat, a transwoman, after she was detained at a luxury condominium unit in Bangkok on September 8.
In a statement today, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said the two countries have signed a treaty that will allow Sajat, whose official name is Muhammad Sajjad Kamaruzzaman, to be delivered across the border.
“Malaysia and Thailand are bound by the treaty that enables the process of returning a wanted person or a hunted criminal to be implemented,” he said.
“Our request will be made in the very near future.”
He said the police are advising the public to not make any speculations and provocations that can disrupt investigations into Sajat’s case.
“We also urge people at large not to share false information related to this issue that can cause disharmony and affect public order,” he added.
On Monday, Jalil had said that Nur Sajat was arrested in Bangkok by Thai authorities over the alleged possession of an invalid passport, and was brought to a court in Thailand on September 9 over an immigration offence.
Nur Sajat was charged with dressing up as a woman at a religious event, bringing Islam into contempt, three years ago.
In proceedings on January 6, Nur Sajat was charged with committing the offence at a beauty centre owned by the entrepreneur in Section 16, Shah Alam, at 7.30pm on February 23, 2018.
Nur Sajat was charged under Section 10(a) of the Shariah Crimes (Selangor) Enactment 1995, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000, imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both, upon conviction.
On February 23, the shariah high court in Kuala Lumpur issued an arrest warrant against Nur Sajat for failing to attend proceedings.
It has been reported that Nur Sajat is attempting to seek asylum in another country. – The Vibes, September 23, 2021