rights
Remember when police arrested 201 men in a raid on an alleged “gay spa?” A judge released them all.
By Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation
· June 15, 2026
· 1 min read
A raid by Malaysian authorities on an alleged "gay spa" in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur late last month saw over 200 individuals arrested, but ultimately yielded no convictions under colonial-era prohibitions on "carnal knowledge" between men. Local police carried out the joint raid with the Fed
Why this matters
The release of 201 men arrested in a raid on an alleged "gay spa" in Kuala Lumpur highlights the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Malaysia, where same-sex acts are criminalized under both federal law and state Sharia statutes. The fact that prosecutors were unable to secure convictions under colonial-era prohibitions on "carnal knowledge" between men suggests that the government's efforts to target LGBTQ+ individuals and businesses may be facing resistance from the judiciary. This case is part of a broader pattern of government crackdowns on LGBTQ+ individuals and groups in Malaysia, where the majority-Muslim population has been cited as a reason for strict laws and enforcement. The use of statutes like Section 372 of the Malaysian penal code to target LGBTQ+ individuals and businesses underscores the need for national and international attention to the human rights situation of LGBTQ+ people in Malaysia.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 15, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A raid by Malaysian authorities on an alleged "gay spa" in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur late last month saw over 200 individuals arrested, but ultimately yielded no convictions under colonial-era prohibitions on "carnal knowledge" between men. Local police carried out the joint raid with the Fed
When was this published? This article was first published on June 15, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .