Police, acting on a public tip-off, raided a fitness center in northern Penang
island Sunday while a sex party was in progress and arrested the 37 men, aged
between 20 and 45, said local police chief Azam Abdul Hamid.
Apart from the two foreigners, all of the men are ethnic Chinese Malaysians
including three who work at the center, he said.
Police found used condoms strewn all over the floor, seven tubes of lubrication
jelly, 20 gay magazines, four pornographic VCDs and six boxes of new condoms,
he said.
"Based on our information, the center was regularly used for these gay
activities," Azam told The Associated Press. "This is against our culture, our
way of life."
Investigations are ongoing but he said the operator of the premises could lose
his business license if he is found to have abused it, and the men, who have
been released, could be charged with committing unnatural sex acts.
Homosexuality is not specified as a crime in predominantly Muslim Malaysia but
it is covered under a law prohibiting sodomy, which is punishable by up to 20
years in prison and whipping.
Azam said police are also surveilling other centers suspected to be involved in
gay activities under an ongoing operation to check vice activities in Penang
island, a major tourist and
Associated Press
