The mother of Mohd Ashraf Hafiz Abdul Aziz, fondly known as ‘Aleesha’, is distraught her son would never wear the lacy liver-red ‘baju kurung’ (traditional Malay female attire) which he had requested his cousin to make for Aidilfitri.
“He had wanted it ready in a day, and his cousin obliged,” said the 51-year-old woman, who wished to be known only as Yah, when met at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ) Hospital mortuary.
‘Aleesha’, 26, died while undergoing treatment at the hospital’s intensive care unit at 5am today.
The hospital confirmed the cause of death as heart attack and low blood pressure.
‘Aleesha’ was reported feeling depressed over a High Court decision to reject his application to change his name and gender in his MyKad.
About 3am yesterday, family members sent him to the hospital, following a bout of vomiting.
Two years ago, he had undergone a sex change in Thailand.
‘Aleesha’ applied to change his name from Mohd Ashraf Hafiz Abdul Aziz to Aleesha Farhana Abdul Aziz to enable him to enter a local university and continue his studies, and lead a life as a woman, without being discriminated against.
‘He was a good child’
However, on July 18, the Kuala Terengganu High Court rejected his application to be recognised as a woman after taking into consideration three factors – his chromosomes, gender at the time of birth and presence of male internal organs.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s father, Abdul Aziz Ahmad, 60, said he accepted his son’s passing.
“He was a good child, affectionate and close to all the family members. Before he breathed his last, his mother, two younger siblings and I were with him,” he said.
The deceased’s remains were buried at the Seberang Takir Muslim cemetery at 4.30pm today.
– Bernama
Admin
C. Khor
