Tribute to Aleesha (alias Ashraf)

It would not cause anyone any harm if people like Aleesha are left alone and accorded the respect and rights that all human beings are entitled to.

When the High Court rejected her application to change her name, Aleesha Farhana, who was born Mohd Ashraf Hafiz Abdul Aziz, was devastated.

In recent weeks, she often spoke to her family about there being little time left for her to do much of anything, including celebrating the coming Hari Raya Puasa.

That’s when I realised how important gender recognition and acceptance was for her, and how without it, life was not worth living.

I had this strange fear that she was going to take her own life. Of course, the hospital and doctors now tell us she died of a heart problem and low blood pressure. It would not be proper for me to think otherwise.

‘Aleesha must not die in vain’

The trans community says that Aleesha's death should mark the end of abuse and discrimination in Malaysia.

PETALING JAYA: The passing of Aleesha Farhana over the weekend has sparked off a call from Malaysia’s trans community for the government and media to end all forms of discrimination against them.

Aleesha’s application to officially change her name and gender after undergoing a sex operation in Thailand was rejected by High Court judge, Yazid Mustafa, on July 18. She was previously known as Mohd Ashraf Hafiz Abdul Aziz.

Transgender Aleesha dies; candlelight vigil

KUALA TERENGGANU - Mohd Ashraf Hafiz Abdul Aziz, 25, who failed to have a name change to Aleesha Farhana after undergoing a sex change operation in Thailand, has died at the intensive care unit of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah.

Bernama reported that the patient was admitted to the hospital at 3am on Thursday after experiencing heart problems and low blood pressure and died at 5am on Saturday.