Fatine Young a.k.a Mohammed Fazdil Min Bahari

KUALA LUMPUR: Fatine Young (right) has not said much to the Malaysian media after the story of his immigration woes were picked up by local news agencies two weeks ago.

Many parties have chastised Fatine, a pre-op transsexual whose real name is Mohammed Fazdil Min Bahari.

The 36-year-old has been living in Spondon, Derby with his partner Ian Young, 30, since December last year.

After they met in Kuala Lumpur, Fatine had gone to England on a six-month tourist visa. It quickly became obvious to the couple that long-term arrangements would have to be made. Ian proposed to Fatine, and they applied to the Home Office to marry and subsequently had a civil ceremony in June at the Derby Register Office.

Since then, Fatine had twice applied for a visa to remain permanently in England but has been turned down by British government officials.

Now, he is hoping it will be third time lucky after sending another application, this time appealing to stay under the Human Rights Act and the right to a family life.

Fatine's first leave-to-remain-visa was refused in September, on the grounds of an incorrect passport photo. His second bid was rejected as it was received after the visitor's visa had expired.

Now, the couple is fearful of Fatine returning home, after his plight drew a negative response from authorities here.

In an exclusive interview with The Malay Mail, Fatine speaks his mind.

Q: Why have you chosen to remain silent up to this point to the Malaysian media?
A: I had nothing to say to them and I was just cautious and afraid if I did say anything, it would some how end up fuelling the controversy back home. Hence, my choice was to stay silent.

Q: Why was your visa application rejected? Some speculate that it was because the photo showed you as a man.
A: My application was rejected due to a technical reason. It had to do with the wrong background colour of my photograph sent to the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) and nothing else. The picture in my passport is not of me as a man as speculated by some, but as you see me now.

Q: How is your situation now?
A: I am running out of options, and all we can do is wait for an answer from the UKBA on the outcome of my third application.

Q:  You have just made the third request for approval, how long will it take?
A: I don’t know how long the process will take for approval. It may take months.

Q: You have been chided for overstaying illegally. Is that a fact, since you seem to be in a legal wrangle?
A: According to the Immigration solicitor who represents me, I cannot be classified as an illegal overstayer as my application is still being processed by UKBA and my case pending.

Q: Do you feel victimised and do you feel there are those who are taking advantage of the situation by being vocal about your situation?
A: I don’t know what to think. I have no comments on this.

Q: Should your third application fail, what is your next course of action?
A: I believe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Should my third application fail, we will appeal. If they say we can't appeal, we will try another way.

Q: There are those who would claim you've shamed Malaysia, what do you say?
A: It makes me very sad. Far from being sympathetic towards my plight, these people have singled me out from amongst thousands of overstaying Malaysians in the UK. If these people didn't turn their backs on Malaysians who have even been convicted of crimes abroad, why are they dressing me down in public? What crime have I done? I've tried my best to comply with UK Immigration laws. I followed everything by the book and even hired an Immigration lawyer to handle my application, just to ensure I don’t breach UK immigration laws. Tell me how have I brought shame to our nation? Could it stem from prejudice towards me as a pre-op transsexual who was registered at birth as Mohammed Fazdil Min Bahari?

Q: There have been questions pertaining to whether you are still a Muslim.
A: As ignorant as I am, my faith has not strayed. I am still a Muslim, and I still carry out my religious duties as expected of me.

Q: Do you think people were confused over the terms marriage and civil partnership? Is it the same or does it just bear similarities?
A: A civil partnership is an agreement, which validates my relationship with Ian within the civil laws of England. It has nothing to do with religion. Ian is still practising his own religion, and so am I.

Q: You have been following Press reports concerning your case in Malaysia. What do you think of what has been said about you?
A: I am not an artiste or a popular personality, so there is no need for the media in Malaysia to sensationalise my story.

Q: What is one thing you would say to Malaysians in general?
A: Not all Malaysians have been vicious and hateful towards me. There have been those who have been sympathetic and offered moral support and advice. To them and the many non-governmental organisations that
have supported me – thank you so much. I am appreciative of all that you’ve done for me, and only God can repay the kindness you’ve shown.

Q: If you have to choose between never coming back to Malaysia, or leaving Ian, what will you do?
A: I will never leave Ian. He is a really, really good person who really wants to take care of me. He accepts me for who I am and what I am. Someone who is not ashamed to face up to society, and who is willing to go through all this with me. We will fight for my visa together, and hopefully be able to spend the rest of our lives
together. Only death can tear us apart.

Q: Some quarters have urged you to come home and promise 'help' if you do, are you reassured by that?
A: I have no idea what 'help' they’re offering, so I will refrain from commenting.

Q: How is your relationship with your family now? You have reportedly been disowned and that your mother is ill.
A: My relationship with my family is getting better. I do not deny, not all my siblings are accepting, some are okay with the situation and some are just shocked and angry. But my mother has forgiven me and understands my current situation of not being able to see her. We are growing stronger by the day through our contact by phone. She is constantly praying for my safety and wellbeing. As for claims that my mother is unwell, it’s a twist of words supposedly from my sister by a tabloid.

Q: You have primarily been seeking support for your case on Facebook but there have also been hateful comments. Do you have anything to say to these people?
A: To those who have nothing nice to say in Facebook's 'Right To Stay Together' group, I say enough with what you’re doing. There is no need to insult me or my friends who extend support. These people act so pious but one wonders if they are aware that their actions, especially claiming me as an apostate. That's a sin!

Q: If you could address someone here, a leader in our country, to seek aid for your situation, who would it be and what would you say?
A: I think they have a lot more important things to think about and handle. But if there are those who are sympathetic to my plight, and can extend any form of help, I would definitely be appreciative.

Q: Do you think life will ever be the same for you after this?
A: I don’t know if my life will ever be normal after this. I hope sooner or later, people will not talk about this anymore. Ian and I just want a simple existence, earning our keep like everyone else for a happy life together.

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