Sex change operation: different perspectives and challenges in Malaysia / Mohamad Zaki Azmi, Mohd Effendy Rosley and Nur Hasnifarina Ahmad Fauzi

The issue of legalizing sex change operation is not new in our country. Such operation was allowed until the National Fatwa Council (NFC) declared a fatwa on 1983 prohibiting Muslims from undergoing sex change operation. However, hermaphrodites
are excluded from this prohibition. By conducting this research, we aim to allow sex change operation not only for hermaphrodites but also to those who are suffering from
Gender Identity Disorder (GID) or Gender Dysphoria (GD). Both are acknowledged as psychological disorders, which lead to transsexualism. We referred to several statutes, decided cases, the Holy Quran, Hadiths and also books as our primary sources. Other
sources include law journals, medical journals, newspaper articles, online databases and also Internet sources. We also conducted several interviews with an academician, a book author and also a transsexual in order to get different opinions on the issue of sex change operation. We hope that this research will provide a better understanding on the issue of transsexualism in Malaysia. Since transsexuals in Malaysia are not allowed to be who they want to be, they are invariably involved in various social problems. Hopefully, this research will open the eyes of the government and also the society on the importance of addressing this issue. Hopefully they will realize that transsexuals are normal human beings who deserve to be respected.