Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom today urged religious authorities to appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling on Friday that a state enactment forbidding Muslim men from dressing up as women was unconstitutional.

In a statement, Jamil Khir stressed that the Negri Sembilan enactment was done in the spirit of containing the culture of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

“The Federal Territory Islamic Council (MAIWP) will also apply to intervene in this proceedings when the relevant party makes the appeal at the Federal Court as this appeal is very important as an effort to determine the jurisdiction of the state religious authorities,” he said.

“The teachings of Islam itself need to be defended in any way possible as the court decision will have legal implications on similar provisions in other states,” he added.

He said that the enactment against cross-dressing was done as it was against the tenets of Islam.

“Every party needs to understand that Islam is the religion of the federation as stated in the federal constitution,” he said.

On Friday, the Appellate Court allowed the appeal by three make-up artists,  Muhamad Juzaili Mohamad Khamis; 26, Syukor Jani; 28, and  Wan Fairol Wan Ismail; 30 to declare Section 66 of the Negri Sembilan Syariah enactment to be unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the government respected the Court of Appeal’s (COA) decision declaring that the Negri Sembilan Islamic religious enactment barring cross-dressing by Muslim men contravened the federal constitution but was of the opinion that it should be reviewed.

He said although he was not an expert in the matter, he felt the decision should be reviewed because of its huge implications to society.

“It is an extraordinary decision even though it is decided by the court. I read the statements of Islamic leaders such as muftis and the association representing Muslim lawyers who were suprised by decision,” he told reporters in Putrajaya today.

In light of this, he said the Attorney-General’s Chambers and state Islamic religious authorities should appeal the decision.

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