Outright International condemns unlawful mass detentions in Malaysia

On Friday, the 28th November 2025, the Kuala Lumpur Police Department, together with the Federal Territories Islamic Department (JAWI), raided a Wellness center for men in the Chow Kit area, Kuala Lumpur. Over 200 men were detained. According to organizations in Kuala Lumpur that are closely following the case, a magistrate on 29 November rejected police applications for remand, finding no legal nexus under Section 377B to justify continued detention. Despite this, many individuals were reportedly held for over 40 hours-beyond the 24-hour limit under Malaysia's Criminal Procedure Code-amounting to an unlawful deprivation of liberty and a violation of due process. All detainees have since been released, except for one person whose case involves an immigration overstay and who must be afforded due process and humane treatment.

Survivors described inhumane and degrading treatment during detention, including denial of adequate food, water, communication, and other basic needs. In the raid's aftermath, community organizations have documented over 50 cases of privacy violations, including doxxing, the public exposure of faces and names, and the targeting of family members.

According to a Malaysian organization, around 100 other men are currently subject to investigation under the Federal Territories Syariah Offenses Act for "attempting liwat"- sexual acts between men - and public indecency.

"Criminalization makes abuse inevitable. What we saw in Kuala Lumpur - the raid, the unlawful detentions, and now online targeting - are the direct consequences of laws that should never have existed. Malaysia must drop the investigations, investigate the abuses, and commit to full decriminalization," said Maria Sjödin, Executive Director of Outright International. Human rights groups in Malaysia are continuing to document abuses committed during detention, even as politicians from an opposition party call for pro-LGBTIQ organizations to be banned. These attempts to silence civil society further undermine Malaysia's obligations to protect freedom of assembly and expression under its Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Outright is coordinating closely with Malaysian organizations that are providing legal coordination, psychosocial support, documentation, and emergency assistance to those affected. We recognize the essential role of volunteers, lawyers, and civil society who mobilized quickly to safeguard rights and dignity.