171 men, arrested in M'sia men-only 'health centre' raid, released after admin error

171 Malaysian men, who were detained during a raid at a Kuala Lumpur "wellness centre", have been released after an admin error.

The remand application by the Malaysian police was submitted late, and subsequently rejected by the magistrate, reported the New Straits Times.

The KL police chief, Datuk Fadil Marsus, said that the delay happened "because of the large number of detainees", as each arrest had to be processed individually and classified.

"Due to the late submission, the magistrate rejected the request," he said.

He said that the operation was concerning, and added that the organiser appears to be at large.

Earlier, the Malaysia minister-in-charge of Islamic Religious Affairs had expressed support for the raid, calling the alleged activities "a very serious moral offence".

No victims

In addition to the failed remand application, the KL police were also unable to continue investigations after no detainee claimed to be a victim.

Fadil said that the detainees were initially investigated under Sections 377 and 372 of the Penal Code, reported The Star.

These are offences for carnal intercourse against the order of nature, and exploiting persons for the purposes of prostitution, respectively.

However, under current laws, both offences require a victim.

But none of the detained claimed to be a victim, forcing police investigations to a standstill.

"Not a single one of them admitted to being a victim of exploitation...So, the case is gone," he said according to Malay Mail.

31 foreigners were nevertheless remanded for investigations under the Immigration Act.

"Health centre"

The "health centre", located at a shophouse in Chow Kit, is suspected of having been operating as a men-only "sex den", Malaysian media reported.

201 male patrons, including civil servants, a surgeon, a teacher, and a deputy public prosecutor, were arrested in the Nov. 28 raid.

A number of items used for "immoral" activities, including condoms and lubricants, were also seized, said the deputy police chief.

The health centre is equipped with facilities such as a gym, spa, and swimming pool catering to men, as well as a special room dubbed the "dark room".

There, patrons allegedly had to take off their clothes and were only allowed to put on a white towel provided by the centre.

They were charged RM35 (S$10.99) per visit, with an additional RM10 (S$3.14) registration fee for first-timers.

Top image from Guang Ming Daily