Press Release
Outright International condemns unlawful mass detentions in Malaysia
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New York | Kuala Lumpur — 30 November 2025 — Outright International condemns the unlawful and prolonged detention of more than 200 people following a police raid at a private premises in Kuala Lumpur on 28 November, and expresses grave concern over continuing investigations and reprisals under both civil and Shariah frameworks.
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.
Outright’s calls
To Malaysian authorities
- Drop all investigations related to the raid under Penal Code Sections 377A/B and under Federal Territories Shariah Offenses provisions.
- Ensure the remaining individual with an immigration issue receives due process, access to counsel, and humane treatment.
- Establish an independent investigation—with the involvement of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, SUHAKAM—into the raid, the remand process, and allegations of inhumane and degrading treatment in detention, and take appropriate disciplinary action against any officers found responsible for abuses.
- Protect freedom of assembly and expression as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and publicly reject calls to ban pro-LGBTIQ organizations or restrict the work of civil society.
- Prioritize full decriminalization in the Criminal Law Reform Committee process by repealing Section 377A/B, in line with international human rights standards and best practice.
- Repeal all provisions within the various state and federal territory sharia enactments that criminalize consensual same-sex conduct.
To technology platforms
- Urgently escalate and remove doxxing content and other privacy violations linked to the raid, including posts exposing names, faces, and family members.
- Prevent further amplification of harmful content targeting individuals perceived to be LGBTIQ or associated with the event.
- Improve rapid-response reporting channels and dedicated escalation pathways for at-risk communities in Malaysia.
“Decriminalization is prevention. When the law stops treating people as criminals, it becomes harder for others to target them. That’s the path to dignity and equality,” said Sjödin.
Outright will continue to support Malaysian partners with advocacy, security referrals, and resources to help those most affected access protection and be heard.
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