KUALA TERENGGANU: A man's wish to change his name to that of a woman hit a snag as a High Court here could not make a decision due to the “complicated” nature of the case.

High Court Judge Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa said the court was facing difficulties in rendering a judgment.
“If the court allows a name change, we fear it might have an impact on society.

“It is a difficult decision,” he said.

He set July 18 for a decision as he needed more time to consider the arguments from both parties.

The usually mundane court complex was abuzz as the man, clad in a red and white kebaya, attended proceedings.

Ashraf Hafiz Abdul Aziz, 25, who also wore a pink headscarf, had applied to change his name to Aleesha Farhana Abd Aziz.

The applicant's lawyer Horley Isaacs said his client was facing difficulty in leading a “normal” life, especially in wanting to further his studies in a local university.

“My client received advice and treatment from Pantai Medical Centre (in Kuala Lumpur) before undergoing a sex change in Thailand three years ago,” he said.

Senior Federal Prosecutor Adha Abu Bakar said the female nature of the applicant was only external and not internal.

She said that despite the change, there was no doctor's report to show that psychologically Ashraf had become a natural woman.

Ashraf, who was approached by reporters after the hearing, refused to comment and instead covered his face and dashed away from the media.