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SHAH ALAM – The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will work with state Islamic religious authorities and relevant agencies to summon the individual who took part in the Miss Equality World 2026 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the involvement of a participant from Malaysia in the pageant was deeply regrettable and had caused unease among the public.
He stressed that such conduct went against religious values and human nature, besides contravening the country's laws.
"Jakim and the state Islamic religious authorities will not compromise on any effort to normalise this conduct.
"Guided by the laws and regulations currently in force, Jakim will work with the state Islamic religious authorities and relevant agencies to summon the individual concerned," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Sinar had earlier reported that an individual received criticism after taking part in the transgender beauty pageant in Bangkok, held from Aug 22 to 30.
Following that, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said his office condemned the act and would work with relevant agencies to examine what action could be taken under existing laws.
He said such an act not only tarnished Malaysia's image on the international stage.
It also went against Islamic teachings, local cultural norms and the values of decency and morality upheld by the country's society, he said.
He added that resembling the opposite gender (tasyabbuh) and promoting a transgender lifestyle were prohibited under syariah law and subject to the syariah law provisions in the states.
