Legal Gender Recognition in Malaysia: A Legal and Policy Review in the Context of Human Rights

Published February 6, 2018
Language English

Trans people in Malaysia face systemic and widespread stigma and human rights violations. Muslim trans people are subject to arrests, harassment and assault from federal, state, and local Islamic religious authorities, and often avoid reporting these incidents for fear that the police will not protect them.

Due to limitations in the separation of state and religion discussed below, state-enacted Islamic law affects the lives of non-Muslim trans people as well, with all trans Malaysians regardless of religion being unable to access gender affirmation surgery and obtain legal gender recognition.

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