Death at gay party results in 51 arrests in Malaysia
Police in Kuala Lumpur allege that drugs were involved.
Following a series of raids conducted on 24 May, 51 men in Kuala Lumpur have been arrested in connection to a party that was held at a hotel.
Speaking to the media about the arrests, director of the department of Narcotics investigations, Hussein Omar Khan, outlined that the men arrested were aged between 21 and 52, and that 28 foreign nationals were among the detained men.
Khan stated that drugs including MDMA, ketamine, and ecstasy were seized during the raids, and that 36 of the detained men tested positive for drugs.
According to media reports, police attention seems to have focused on the party after a man who had been at the party was found unconscious in the lobby of the hotel. The man was later pronounced dead upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. The cause of death has not been publicly released.
It's not clear how police identified who had attended the party and it's not yet apparent what charges might be brought against those who have been detained but have not tested positive for any banned drugs.
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.
Government authorities actively censor LGBTQ content and visibility, and have also blocked access to LGBTQ-related websites, online dating, and hook-up apps.
