51 men, of which 28 were foreigners, were arrested in a series of raids on May 24 in connection with what Malaysian police described as a drug-fuelled “gay party” at a Kuala Lumpur hotel.
Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, criminalises homosexuality under a dual-track legal system that applies both civil and Islamic laws.
Sodomy is a civil criminal offence, while sharia law prohibits same-sex acts and cross-dressing for Muslims.
Group used hotel rooms for entertainment and drug abuse
According to Reuters, the men, aged between 21 and 52, were arrested across four separate raids, narcotics investigations department director Hussein Omar Khan said in a statement on May 25.
Authorities also seized approximately RM103,070 (about S$33,200) worth of illicit drugs, including MDMA, ecstasy pills and powder, and ketamine.
Hussein said the group had been using upscale hotel rooms for entertainment and drug abuse, and was believed to be involved in “immoral activities”.
The case is being investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
Prior to the raids, a man suspected of attending the party was found unconscious in the hotel lobby.
He was taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH), where he was pronounced dead.
No details on the cause of death were provided.
All 51 men have been remanded for three to six days pending further investigations, of which 36 tested positive for drugs.
Raid involving two Singaporeans
This report came after an earlier raid carried out in the early hours of May 24.
A 31-year-old Malaysian man had been found unconscious in the hotel lobby and later pronounced dead at KLH.
Acting on a tip-off, Brickfields police raided his hotel room at around 4am, detaining eight men — two Malaysians and six foreigners, including two Singaporeans and nationals from Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia and China.
Officers seized a packet believed to contain 1.5g of ketamine and three ecstasy pills worth an estimated RM225 (around S$73).
All eight were remanded for three days under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The cause of death remains pending laboratory results.