12 men arrested at gay house-party in Malaysia
Further evidence of nationwide crackdown on queer people.
According to local media reports, police in the Malaysian state of Kelantan arrested 12 men during a raid on a private party.
The latest arrests follow the detention of 20 men in the state capital of Kota Bharu in June - continuing a nationwide crackdown on queer people and the censorship of any queer content or publications.
Speaking to local media the Kelantan state police chief, Mohd Yusof Mamat, said that while no evidence of sexual activity was found during the raid, they did seize condoms and HIV medication. According to the police statement, three of the men arrested had explicit sexual images on their phones.
The police chief said that over 100 men had attended the party, though most of them had left before the police raided the premises.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Malaysia?
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Malaysia? Let’s take a look at some of the key equality indicators.
Is homosexuality legal in Malaysia?
No. Malaysia retains the colonial-era criminalisation of sodomy that it inherited from Britain.
Punishments could include prison for up to 20 years.
Are there anti-discrimination protections in place for LGBTQ people in Malaysia?
No. There are no protections against discrimination on the grounds of sexuality.
Is there Marriage Equality in Malaysia?
No. There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Malaysia?
Malaysia is a socially conservative country. Homosexuality is a taboo subject.
Homophobia is systemic, and LGBTQ people conceal their sexuality.
