Concerns Mount Among Malaysians Over Lgbtq Lifestyle Clamp Down Crushing Of Civil Liberties

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Letter to Editor
ONE thing that is sure to raise the eyebrows among the more conservative segment of the population is news reports of vice, sexual misconduct or impropriety.
Better still if the alleged incidences involved some well-known personality, hence allowing Malaysians of a supposed higher moral fibre to express their disapproval on social media.
The latest episode that has got tongues wagging was a raid on a ‘health and wellness centre’ in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.
Its crime?
“Suspected” of being a centre for LGBTQ+ activities. A total of 201 men were detained.
What for? “Suspected of engaging in homosexual activities”. Even more salacious was the details that men from the civil service and professionals such as doctors were among those nabbed.
Of course, the detail that caused most consternation was – gasp – that more than a few detainees were Malay-Muslims. And, double gasp – that many of the men were married!
‘Gay’ health centre raid reckless act, violates individual rights – PSM Youth https://t.co/JfDNILQsXS
— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) December 1, 2025

‘Suspected vs caught in the act’
Such titillating news is always guaranteed to get conservative elements huffing and puffing about the supposed breakdown in moral values, especially under the current ‘liberal’ Madani administration’s watch.
Malaysians really need to wake up and smell the coffee. The really shocking thing is the continued and blatant trampling of civil liberties in the name of combating vice and other undesirable elements.
There are a few things to note about this sorry episode.
First and foremost, is the use of the term “suspected”. Just how do the authorities determine this? What is the SOP (standard operating procedure) here in determining this incriminating actions?
Is it the usual anonymous tip-off or should citizens be demanding for more stringent procedures that don’t involve hearsay, conjecture or even ‘fitnah’ (malicious lies).

Secondly, just what right do the coppers and religious authorities have in subjecting these men to such public humiliation?
To be paraded in their towels post-raid and subjected to further embarrassment when waiting to post bail for their release. What if they committed NO offences – gay, straight or otherwise. Did they deserve to be treated in such a degrading manner?
Thirdly, such raids also smack of heavy-handedness with the authorities subjecting ordinary citizens to all sorts of inhumane procedures. For instance, why should anyone be subject to random urine tests for drug use based on some hearsay?

Never learn their lesson
I recall reading a similar raid on a spa that catered exclusively to ladies in Subang Jaya, where insinuations of impropriety were said to be taking place.
Knowing that the centre was a female-only enterprise, yet the raiding party contained not ONE single female officer.
It took a complaint from one of the patrons, local rapper – Sharifah Zamaera Syed Zafilen Al Edros – to highlight this serious lack of foresight from the authorities.
That she alleged one of the raiding party had secretly filmed her sans clothing underlines the sort of abuse that can happen when the moral police are on the prowl.
That the authorities had to apologise over the incident speaks volumes and perhaps it was lucky the 30-year-old entertainer didn’t file a civil suit for breach of privacy or even criminal proceedings for outraging modesty.

What is abundantly clear is all too often, civil liberties are often the real casualties when the moral police go on patrol. That is a far greater concern for ALL Malaysians than what goes on in a health spa behind closed doors.
Cleaning up moral delinquency is a very shallow excuse to deprive Malaysians of their human rights. Everyone must be vigilant and not be blindsided by the shrieks of indignation over supposed deviant conduct.
Malaysians must refuse to be cowed and bullied by the moral police. It is truly hoped that someone from this incident will have the bravery and gumption to sue the authorities for habeas corpus (unlawful detention).
It is unlikely given the nature of the allegations but a line needs to be drawn to stop the authorities from over-stepping their boundaries. 
Editor’s note: The 171 local men detained during a raid at a spa and wellness outlet in Chow Kit two days ago were released over the weekend (Nov 30) after a remand application against them was rejected.
All those detained were investigated under Sections 377 and 372 of the Penal Code but police were unable to proceed due to a lack of evidence.
 
Human Rights Advocate
Kuantan
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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