NUR Sajat’s story is one of true grit which plight perhaps only the Muslim transgender community in Malaysia can comprehend.
A talented entrepreneur and a millionaire who runs successful cosmetic business, Sajat ended up migrating to the Land Down Under for good after numerous close-shaves with the Malaysian religious authorities for offending the religion of Islam.
In a recent video interview with AFP, the 36-year-old said she fled to Thailand earlier this year because she “was abused and treated inhumanely” by religious officials in Malaysia.
She was said to be on the run for the last few months after a blasphemy charge was levelled at her in Malaysia for ‘dressing’ as a woman.
She was reportedly detained and fined by Thai authorities on Sept 8 for having an invalid passport. She was then believed to be seeking refuge through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“The decision to run away was the last resort for me, because I did not feel happiness. (I was) not free,” she said. “There is freedom and gender equality in Australia.”
Appearing earlier in her livestream on TikTok, Sajat, who was born Muhammad Sajjad Kamaruz Zaman told fans that she resides in the Sydney suburb of Canterbury city where she looks forward to starting afresh, including continuing her business there.
“I don’t need to repent because I did not do anything wrong,” she said in response to social conservatives who reminded her to change her ways during her livestream.
Sajat has reportedly applied for refugee status with the UN and is seeking asylum in Australia after her passport was canceled amid attempts by Malaysian authorities to extradite her.
She also said she had sold all her businesses in Malaysia and intended to start afresh in Australia which welcomes her with open arms.
Sajat further told AFP that she would continue working in Australia with a focus on gold and cosmetics.
I want to rebuild my business empire here,” she said, noting that she will not return to Malaysia because “people like me are abused and intimidated” there. – Oct 21, 2021
