From Mohd Ashraf Hafiz To Aleesha Farhana
The High Court here rejected an application by a man, who underwent a sex-change operation two years ago, to change his name to that of a woman.
Judge Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa said the application by Mohd Ashraf Hafiz Abdul Aziz, 25, to change his name to Aleesha Farhana Abdul Aziz was rejected on three grounds, namely chromosome count, genital organ during birth and internal organ.
Mohd Ashraf made the application on May 25 following a sex-change operation in Thailand saying he was having difficulties leading a normal life, and to facilitate his application to pursue his study at a local university.
Mohd Ashraf Hafiz, who is from here, was not present in court. He was represented by lawyer Horly Isaach.
Mohd Yazid said the court took into account issues raised by Senior Federal Counsel, Aida Adha Abu Bakar, representing the National Registration Director-General, that the application should not be granted because the applicant was not a real woman.
He said that although the applicant had undergone a sex-change operation, it could not be used as a ground to grant the application.
Further, he said, there was no report from the hospital involved in the operation and that not a single doctor was called to testify during the proceedings.
"After looking into this case from all angles and taking into consideration its implication to the society, the court rejected the application," the judge said, noting that the court had no power to make any declaration concerning the change of gender on the basis of a sex-change operation. – Bernama