Wire of the week

AFP: Lifestyle-Malaysia- Religion-Transvestites.


Islamic officials bust transvestites gala in Malaysia: report

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - Islamic officials in
Malaysia detained 16 transvestites for taking part in a beauty
pageant, according to a newspaper report here Sunday.
The participants were held as they contested the "Miss Universe
Asia 2008" title at a resort hotel in the northeastern state of
Kelantan, which is ruled by the Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS),
the New Sunday Times said.
The PAS wants to turn Malaysia into a theocratic state under
Islamic rule, and has made headlines for ordering fines for women
wearing skimpy clothes and stricter enforcement of laws on separate
male and female queues in shops.
Mohamad Abdul Aziz, chief assistant director of enforcement in
the state, told the paper that 16 people aged between 20 and 30 were
detained.
Some were dressed in Malay traditional outfits and others in
evening gowns, the paper added.
Mohamad said another group of 50 transvestites who were
preparing to join the competition managed to escape arrest, while
about 300 people were present at the hotel to watch the event.
The Sunday Times said most contestants were teachers and banking
employees.
Mohamad said action would be taken against the transvestites
under Islamic Sharia law "for dressing and acting like a woman."
They could be fined or jailed for six months if found guilty, he
said.