In the proceedings that took place on Jan 6, Muhammad Sajjad, 35, however, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him before Syarie judge Mohammad Khalid Shaee @ Shaii.

The accused, as a man, was accused of bringing contempt to the religion of Islam by dressing up as a woman at a Yasin recitation and solat hajat event.

The offence was allegedly committed at his beauty centre in Section 16, Shah Alam, at 7.30pm on Feb 23, 2018.

The charge under Section 10(a) of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Selangor) 1995 carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

The court allowed Muhammad Sajjad bail of RM3,000 and fixed Feb 25 for case mention.

Deputy syarie prosecutor Atras Mohd Zain appeared for the prosecution.

On Jan 6, a video of the cosmetic entrepreneur crying in distress while being handcuffed went viral on social media.

A few days later, in a posting on his Instagram account, Muhammad Sajjad explained that he was detained by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) over a report that was lodged against him in 2018.