“I Don’t Want to Change Myself” Anti-LGBT Conversion Practices, Discrimination, and Violence in Malaysia

 | 
08/10/2022

In February 2021, Nur Sajat, a cosmetics entrepreneur, failed to appear in court in the western Malaysian state of Selangor to answer to criminal charges for “insulting Islam” based on her attire. Malaysia’s religious enforcement officials sprang into action. Selangor’s religious department issued a warrant for her arrest and announced that it had mobilized 122 religious affairs officers to hunt her down. Months later, when Nur Sajat resurfaced in neighboring Thailand, Malaysia sought her extradition. Malaysian authorities insisted that Sajat need not worry: the massive deployment of law enforcement and diplomatic wrangling to force her back to Malaysia was intended not to “punish” but rather to “educate” her. After a public outcry in her defense, Thailand allowed Sajat to stay in the country under the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and eventually to settle in Australia.

Regions: ,

Share this:

Latest Global News

Added on: 11/23/2024
11/23/2024
Members of the LGBTQ community in the Philippines can adopt children as individuals, but legal adoption does not extend to same-sex couples due to …
Added on: 11/23/2024
11/22/2024
Donald Trump announced today (Friday, Nov. 22) that he is nominating hedge fund executive Scott Besent, a top fundraising for the Trump campaign, to …
Added on: 11/23/2024
11/22/2024
A housing program in Vancouver is ensuring that transgender and two-spirit people have a safe place to call home. CBC’s Caroline Chan stopped by …

Explore LGBTQ+ Issues

Other News from ,

Added on: 11/23/2024
Members of the LGBTQ community in the Philippines can adopt children as individuals, but legal adoption does not extend to same-sex couples due to …
Added on: 11/22/2024
The Vatican has blocked discussions over women’s rights at the UN climate summit following a row over gay and transgender issues, sources have told …
Added on: 11/19/2024
On September 24, Thailand celebrated the landmark passage of a marriage equality bill. The legislation, which goes into effect in January 2025, will solidify …