Jawi officer ‘felt violated’ after she was flashed by person resembling a woman

KUALA LUMPUR: A Jawi officer told a magistrate’s court that she felt insulted and violated when a person resembling a woman flashed her breasts at her during a raid at a transgender event in 2016.

Recounting what happened that night, Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) investigating officer Siti Nor Jihan Saleh testified that the incident happened after lawyer and activist Siti Kasim kept asking for a warrant despite having been told that it was a seizable offence that does not require a warrant.

Siti Nor Jihan was testifying in the trial of Siti Kasim, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of obstructing her from executing her duties during the raid at a hotel here on the night of April 3, 2016.

“When the woman asked us what offence was being committed, we said it was the breaking of a gazetted fatwa regarding beauty pageants,” said Siti Nor Jihan, referring to Siti Kasim in a video filmed by Jawi videographer Mohd Johan Mohd Ridzuan that was shown to the court.

The fatwa states that it is “haram” and “sinful” for Muslims to join, organise or contribute to a beauty pageant in any way.

Breaching a fatwa is an offence under Section 9 of the Syariah Criminal Act (Federal Territory) 1997, which carries a maximum RM3,000 fine or two years’ jail, or both, upon conviction.

According to the witness, Siti Kasim continued to raise objections until those in their vicinity at the event became “emboldened enough to humiliate Jawi enforcement officers”.

“There was someone, I’m not sure a man or a woman, who was dressed in white flashing the breasts at me. To me, that is humiliating,” she said.

Siti Nor Jihan added that the Jawi enforcement personnel tried to check if the individuals in the hall were Muslims or not for their further investigations, but failed to do so.

She said the situation in the hall was “very noisy”, and that she had to use a microphone to ask those inside the hall to give their cooperation.

Asked about their response, Siti Nor Jihan said the noise level escalated.

“There was chaos behind the stage. There was the sound of glass breaking.

“We did not get the cooperation from those who were in the hall. They were still noisy and some were walking here and there without any direction. Maybe there were some who ran off. And the situation was not under control and we failed to check the identities of those who were in the hall,” she added.

The court saw a packed public gallery, and spotted in the crowd were transgender rights activist Nisha Ayub and Justice For Sisters co-founder and activist Thilaga Sulathireh.

The hearing continues before Magistrate Maizatul Munirah Abd Rahman on April 23.