Local beauty entrepreneur Nur Sajat, the woman named a person of interest by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), who are investigating rumors that she may or may not be transgender, has remained defiant over social media chatter.
Earlier this week, she donned an off-the-shoulder, sequined dress (it looked great) to the 32nd Anugerah Juara Lagu, a television awards ceremony, and uploaded several clips to her Instagram account.
Thirty-three-year-old Nur wore a dress made by her favored local designer, Gie Ismail.
While many of the comments praised her stunning look, other netizens left unpleasant comments ranging from comparing her dress’s color to that of a green bottle fly (flyest fly in the swarm, holla), to crassly referring to her as a “tranny.”
Nur told Harian Metro that she no longer had time for the comments of strangers, adding that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and it was their right to express their thoughts.
She told the paper that the malicious comments didn’t make her unhappy, and that if anything, her look made her feel embolden to continue to wear unique and au courant fashion.
She poignantly added that she is used to being teased and criticized.
The comment could be interpreted as a subtle reference to JAKIM’s sudden interest in her gender, fueled mostly by social media rumors.
JAKIM’s family, social and community development division deputy director, Dr Izwan Khusus, posted an open letter to social media, extending an invitation to Nur to meet. He wrote that he wanted to provide help, and not punish her. JAKIM later issued a statement saying they would be “investigating” transgender claims, and that their investigations would take a month.
One month, ah? While doctors have to cram patient consultations a 15-minute window, JAKIM has a month to dedicate to this non-life-threatening pursuit. Times are good.
