2 hours ago
Over 200 Men Arrested in Kuala Lumpur Raid on Wellness Centre; 171 Released Without Charges
READ TIME: 4 MIN.
On the evening of November 28, 2025, Kuala Lumpur police executed a coordinated raid on a wellness centre located in the Chow Kit area of Kuala Lumpur, resulting in the detention of 208 individuals. The operation, which commenced at 8 p. m. and lasted approximately four hours, was conducted by the Kuala Lumpur Strike Force in cooperation with the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department and Kuala Lumpur City Hall . The raid followed two weeks of intelligence-gathering and surveillance.
According to Kuala Lumpur police deputy chief Datuk Mohd Azani Omar, the detainees comprised 201 patrons and seven employees, ranging in age from 19 to 60 years old. Among those detained were 17 civil servants and 24 foreign nationals. Police seized condoms and several items believed to have been used for what authorities characterized as "immoral purposes."
The wellness centre had been operating for eight to ten months prior to the raid, maintaining business hours from 5 p. m. to 11 p. m. on weekdays and 3 p. m. to 11 p. m. on weekends. The facility promoted itself through social media platforms, including TikTok, as well as through word-of-mouth referrals from regular customers. Entry fees were set at RM35, with new customers required to pay a RM10 registration fee to receive a membership card. The premises featured multiple enclosed spaces, including small rooms and semi-dark areas, along with sauna and jacuzzi facilities.
The raid was conducted under Section 377B of Malaysia's Penal Code, which criminalizes what the law terms "unnatural intercourse," and Section 372, which addresses alleged involvement in prostitution exploitation. In Malaysia, same-sex activity remains criminalized and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
All detainees were transported to the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters for urine screening and further investigation. However, the investigation process encountered significant challenges. Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus acknowledged that the delay in processing detainees was due to the sheer volume of arrests, requiring officers to process and classify each individual separately.
On November 30, 2025, a magistrate rejected a late remand bid by police, resulting in the release of 171 local Malaysian men without charges. The remaining detainees—foreign nationals—were remanded for two days before also being released.
The reason for the dismissal of charges proved significant: under Malaysia's current legal framework, offences involving exploitation, prostitution, or unnatural sex acts require evidence of a victim. According to Comm Fadil, "not a single one of them admitted to being a victim of exploitation, "thereby preventing police from pursuing the case further. The police deputy chief stated: "All those arrested were investigated under Sections 377/372 of the Penal Code, but there was no evidence to help the police pursue the case in that direction. "
Comm Fadil further noted that "although action was taken, the organiser appears to be at large. " Following the raid, authorities have enforced strict protocols on the venue to prevent similar events from occurring, and the wellness centre's license may be revoked.
The outcome of the raid has prompted authorities to examine the adequacy of existing laws. On December 2, 2025, the Kuala Lumpur police briefed Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on the case, raising questions about whether current legislation provides sufficient legal tools for prosecution in such circumstances. The Home Minister acknowledged the concern, stating: "Is there a need to review the current laws to handle such cases? The answer is yes, "while noting that specific revisions would be determined by the government.
The raid reflects the ongoing criminalization of same-sex conduct in Malaysia, a policy that remains controversial from a human rights perspective. Malaysia's Section 377B of the Penal Code continues to criminalize consensual same-sex activity between adults, a provision that international human rights organizations have repeatedly called for repeal. The detention and release of 208 individuals without charges underscores the practical difficulties authorities face when attempting to enforce laws against consensual adult conduct, particularly when no complainant or victim comes forward.
The incident also highlights the contrast between Malaysia's criminal legal framework and the work of civil society organizations operating within the country. The PT Foundation, Malaysia's largest community-based HIV/AIDS organization, has been providing education, prevention, care, and support programmes for vulnerable communities, including men who have sex with men , since 1987. Despite the criminalization of same-sex conduct, such organizations continue to provide essential health and support services to affected populations.
The November 28, 2025 raid on the Chow Kit wellness centre and the subsequent release of detainees without charges illustrates the tension between Malaysia's criminalization of same-sex conduct and the practical limitations of enforcing such laws when consensual activity between adults is involved and no exploitation is evident. The incident has prompted high-level discussions about the adequacy of current legislation, suggesting that Malaysian authorities may be reconsidering how existing laws are applied and whether legal reforms are necessary. The outcome—the release of 171 individuals without charges—demonstrates that despite the legal framework criminalizing same-sex activity, prosecution remains challenging absent evidence of exploitation or a willing victim.
