More than 20 transgender women have been arrested in Malaysia since the Federal Court reinstated a cross-dressing ban earlier this month, according to a transgender advocacy group.

The Sharia ban on cross-dressing in the Negeri Sembilan state was upheld on 8 October and only applies to Muslims, but Justice for Sisters (JFS) says transgender women of all ethnicities and nationalities have been targeted.

‘Since the decision by the Federal Court that set aside two court orders, and reinstated Section 66, raids and arrests have taken place in Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu and Penang, triggering a wave of fear among the transgender community to freely move,’ the group said.

Three Indian transgender women were arrested while shopping in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur on 12 October after a man accused them of stealing his wallet when they refused his request for sex.

They were remanded in custody for three days and ‘allegedly asked to remove their clothes and were subjected to further humiliation in detention.’

Three days later, 15 transgender women of various nationalities were arrested in a raid in Bukit Bintang, Pudu and Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur.

Four were charged under Sharia law and had their shaved heads, which JFS said was ‘a form of torture.’

The remaining 11 were released on bail several days later, but on condition only cisgender men could post their bail.

On 21 October 2015, three transgender women of Filipino nationality were arrested in Terengganu in a raid by the immigration department.

Raids have also been carried out in Penang, but no arrests have taken place.

‘In Negeri Sembilan, harassment and intimidation began on the day that the decision was delivered,’ JFS said.

‘The religious authorities warned some trans women that they would be arrested if they saw them again in the area. We deplore the intimidation and harassment by the authorities towards the women, as these actions are making people feel unsafe in their own homes and to move around freely.

‘Section 66 and similar laws that criminalize one’s gender identity and gender expression make transgender or trans women, regardless of religious background, vulnerable to arbitrary arrests and violence.’