171 LOCALS ARRESTED IN RAID RELEASED AFTER REMAND APPLICATION REJECTED

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- A total of 171 local individuals arrested during a raid at a health club, believed to have been used for immoral activities, were released after the court rejected the remand application against them this morning.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said without the victims' confession, investigations under Section 377 (unnatural sex) and Section 372 (prostitution exploitation) of the Penal Code could not proceed.

"No one admitted to being a victim of exploitation, as in cases of exploitation, prostitution, or unnatural sex, there must be a victim. Since none of them confessed to being a victim, the case cannot continue," he said.

“As for the organisers, there is no offence so far. All the locals involved were released as they could not be remanded. Only foreign nationals were remanded for two days," he told reporters when met during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment project.

He added that the police were considering working with other agencies, including those involved in enforcing Syariah law, or providing counselling sessions to those involved.

"Currently, we are requesting that they attend rehabilitation programmes and awareness talks. However, unless the laws are amended, this issue will persist and worsen. Our actions are not yielding effective results," he said.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, who was also at the press conference, stressed that immoral activities clearly contradict religious teachings and the values of MADANI.

"This is a serious moral offence, not only from a legal perspective but also from a religious one—it is absolutely unacceptable.

"Aside from the investigation under Section 25 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Act (Federal Territories) 1997, Section 47 will also be applied, which involves an attempt to commit sodomy," he said.

Mohd Na'im further said that efforts for prevention and enforcement would continue and be strengthened by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI).

Last Friday, 17 civil servants were among 208 people arrested in a raid at a health club in Chow Kit, suspected of hosting homosexual activities.

During the raid, police confiscated condoms and other items believed to be used for immoral purposes.

-- BERNAMA