On Saturday (29 November), it was reported that over 200 people were arrested at a spa in Kuala Lumpur in a raid carried out by Division D7 (Secret Societies, Gambling, and Vice) of the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent (IPK), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI).
Following this, 171 of them were released on bail as the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM’s) remand application was rejected due to it being late.
Now, 2 NGOs have taken to social media to point out that the raid is considered discriminatory and harmful to efforts in eradicating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in our country. The NGOs involved are Justice for Sisters (Sisters) and JEJAKA.
A violation of privacy
Justice for Sisters wrote, “Justice for Sisters strongly condemns the raid at a health centre in Kuala Lumpur by the police, JAWI and DBKL on 28 November 2025. The raid resulted in the arrest of 201 people.”
“80 of them are reportedly being investigated by JAWI for indecent behaviour in public spaces, while the rest are being investigated under Section 377B of the Penal Code for allegedly committing carnal intercourse. The police claimed that the raid was carried out due to public complaints.”
They highlighted how the media was invited to participate in the raid, which resulted in a violation of the privacy of the detainees as well as other impacts, including on the government’s efforts to eradicate HIV.
“Sisters also strongly condemns the derogatory and harmful media reporting that has harmful impacts on the lives and livelihoods of people who are already vulnerable in society due to discrimination.”
“Further, the raid is completely counterproductive to the government’s efforts to end HIV by 2030 in Malaysia. Health centres, such as the one that was raided, are critical in providing safe spaces for people not only to exercise and socialise but also to seek health information,” they added.
“Colonial morality”
JEJAKA, on the other hand, shared their belief that the raid highlights a deeper problem, the criminalisation of consensual adult behaviour under Section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalises “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” and can be applied to voluntary sexual acts.
“The very provision used to justify this raid and attempted remand is a relic of colonial morality that continues to enable policing practices which target, stigmatise and endanger LGBTQ+ communities,”
“JEJAKA urges the CLRC (Criminal Law Reform Committee) and the government to prioritise the full decriminalisation of Section 377, echoing longstanding recommendations by civil society, legal experts and international human rights bodies. Decriminalisation is essential for preventing future abuses of power, reducing stigma and ensuring that no Malaysian is subjected to humiliation, police harassment or unlawful detention simply for who they are,” they said.
What do you think of the raid and the subsequent detentions? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: DBKL, JPN & PDRM Crack Down on Photo Touts Around KLCC But M’sians Aren’t Happy, Here’s Why
