KOTA KINABALU: Six transvestites were arrested at various locations in the city centre by enforcement personnel on Tuesday morning.
Assistant Superintendent Mahyuddin Kadijo of the city police, said the three-hour operation which began at 1am, was a collaboration between the police, the State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains), City Hall, the Welfare Department, the Immigration Department and the National Registration Department.
“During the operation, six transvestites were detained at various locations in the city centre, namely Kampung Air, the Asia City complex and along Jalan Pantai,” he said when met at the scene.
According to Mahyuddin, a number of other transvestites however made helter-skelter escape upon sensing an imminent raid was about to be carried out, judging by the number of enforcement personnel present.
“We only managed to detain six people, aged 18 to 28, and they were taken to Jheains headquarters at Wisma Muis for further investigation,” he said.
Mahyuddin said those detained would be investigated under Section 92 of the Syariah Offences Enactment 1995 for dressing up in the clothes of the opposite sex, and the offence carries a fine of up to RM1,000, or six months’ jail, or both, upon conviction.