Trial begins for 14 men in Kelantan cross-dressing case [WATCH]

KOTA BARU: The high-profile trial involving 14 men accused of cross-dressing and behaving in a feminine manner commenced in Kota Baru today, with an enforcement officer taking the witness stand, according to wire material. Four enforcement officers involved in the operation are expected to provide testimony, as per Lawyer Muhammad Syarafi Mohd Salleh. The prosecution commenced presenting its case, and one witness was called during the proceedings.

Syarafi, speaking to reporters after the trial began, revealed that his clients had cooperated throughout the matter and were subsequently released on RM1,000 bail each, provided they provide one surety. Earlier, Lower Syariah Court judge Wan Firdaus Wan Ibrahim had set January 24, 2026, as the date for the trial to resume, allowing both sides to finalize several outstanding documents.

The 14 men were initially charged at the same court in December 2024 with wearing women's clothing and shoes and acting like women at the Troika Residency's multipurpose hall in Jalan Sultan Ibrahim at 11pm on May 30, 2025, according to the wire material. They pleaded not guilty to charges under Section 19(1) of the Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019, which pertains to the offense of men acting like women.