In June 2025, a police raid on a bungalow in Kemumin, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, shook the local community and sparked national controversy.

The Kelantan police initially described the gathering as a “gay sex party,” a claim that quickly drew criticism from human rights advocates, health professionals, and civil society organisations. Subsequent clarifications from these groups revealed that the event was not a clandestine party but a legitimate sexual health outreach programme aimed at providing vital HIV-related services to marginalised populations.

This incident has since raised important questions about public health, human rights, the role of law enforcement, and the treatment of vulnerable communities in Malaysia.

The event in question took place on the night of June 17, 2025. Organised by the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) in collaboration with Klinik Kesihatan Kota Jembal and supported by the Ministry of Health, the session was part of the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP) model, according to the press release by MAC.

This model is designed to provide targeted HIV prevention, screening, treatment, and counselling to key populations at higher risk of infection.

The outreach was scheduled from 8 pm until approximately 2 am, deliberately held outside regular office hours to enable working individuals to attend. Around 70 participants arrived at the bungalow seeking sexual health information, voluntary HIV testing, condoms, and support services. The attendees were fully clothed throughout the session, and no fees were charged for participation.

Despite the clear medical and educational nature of the event, Kelantan police conducted a raid on the premises at 1.15 am on June 18 following complaints lodged by members of the public. Police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat described the operation as necessary to maintain public safety and uphold moral order in accordance with Islamic principles of amar makruf and nahi mungkar—concepts referring to enjoining good and forbidding wrong.

He asserted that more than 20 men were arrested for allegedly attending a “gay party” and claimed that attendees had paid fees to participate. The police also noted that those present were fully clothed but framed this as suspicious given their assumption of illicit activities.

The police’s public statements immediately drew backlash from various quarters. A coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society groups, and medical professionals issued a joint response condemning the police’s characterisation of the event.

Signatories included Justice for Sisters, a transgender rights advocacy group; Amnesty International Malaysia; Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO); Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM); Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram); Freedom Film Network; and other prominent civil society organisations alongside doctors specialising in sexual health.

These groups clarified that the gathering was not a “gay sex party” but a critical health outreach programme providing sexual health services to marginalised populations, including members of the LGBTQ community.

They emphasised that attendees were seeking health information and testing services rather than providing or engaging in sexual activities. The event’s purpose was to promote safer sexual practices and reduce the risk of HIV transmission through education, condom distribution, voluntary testing, and counselling. Furthermore, they stated emphatically that no payment was required from participants—contradicting police claims—and that the event was not publicly promoted on social media as alleged.

The NGOs called on the Kelantan police to immediately correct inaccurate statements issued to the media to prevent further misinformation and stigmatisation. They pointed out that framing the outreach programme as an immoral gathering perpetuated harmful stereotypes against LGBTQ individuals and increased fear among marginalised groups seeking healthcare services. Such stigma not only violates human rights but also undermines public health efforts to control HIV infections in Malaysia.

The Malaysian AIDS Council later released a statement confirming its involvement in organising the outreach session under the DHSKP framework. It reiterated that this model represents a strategic approach supported by the Health Ministry to ensure that HIV services are community-centred, inclusive, and effective at reaching key populations. MAC stressed that programmes like these are essential components of Malaysia’s broader goal to end AIDS by 2030. The council strongly urged that such initiatives not be misrepresented or politicised, warning that doing so could disrupt collective efforts to combat HIV.

In addition to disputing the police’s description of the event, NGOs and health advocates raised concerns about how the raid was conducted. Despite knowing it was a health outreach session, police reportedly subjected attendees to urine tests—an act criticised as invasive and a violation of human rights. This approach was seen as counterproductive to public health objectives because it could deter marginalised groups from participating in future outreach programmes vital for early diagnosis and treatment.

The incident also drew attention from Kelantan’s state government earlier. Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan called for a fair and thorough investigation into the raid to ensure no party suffered from misunderstandings or slander before facts were fully established. He underscored the importance of transparency—particularly regarding whether attendees were from Kelantan or outside the state—to protect innocent citizens from wrongful accusations and social stigma.

While maintaining the government’s firm stance against activities deemed immoral or contradictory to Islamic values, he emphasised that all stakeholders must play their role in safeguarding societal harmony through due process.

Dr Fadzli also urged organisers of programmes dealing with sensitive issues to seek prior approval from relevant authorities to avoid misunderstandings or conflicts with local regulations. This call reflects ongoing challenges faced by health workers and NGOs operating in conservative environments where cultural and religious norms heavily influence public policies and attitudes towards sexual health and LGBTQ rights.

The broader implications of this incident extend beyond Kelantan’s borders. It highlights the delicate balance between upholding public morality as defined by local authorities and protecting human rights while advancing public health objectives. Experts note that mischaracterising legitimate medical outreach events as immoral gatherings fuels stigma against marginalised communities—particularly LGBTQ individuals—who already face discrimination and barriers when accessing healthcare.

Such stigma can discourage vulnerable populations from seeking HIV testing and treatment, leading to delayed diagnoses and increased transmission rates. This runs counter to Malaysia’s national HIV strategy and global commitments aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Moreover, the involvement of law enforcement in medical outreach activities raises ethical questions about privacy, consent, and the appropriate role of police in addressing matters related to public health. Advocates argue that raids like this not only violate personal freedoms but also create an atmosphere of fear and mistrust between marginalised groups and healthcare providers.

The case also underscores the need for accurate, responsible communication from authorities when reporting sensitive incidents involving vulnerable communities. Use of stigmatising language or sensationalist media coverage can exacerbate discrimination and undermine efforts to promote inclusivity and respect for diversity.

Moving forward, there is a clear need for greater collaboration between law enforcement, health agencies, civil society, and government bodies to ensure that community-based programmes can operate without fear of harassment or stigma. This includes respecting human rights principles during police interventions, promoting accurate public messaging about such programmes, and fostering an environment where marginalised groups feel safe accessing healthcare services.

As Malaysia continues its fight against HIV/AIDS, supporting inclusive health outreach efforts remains critical. Only by removing barriers caused by misinformation and discrimination can progress be made towards protecting all citizens’ right to health and dignity.