KOTA BARU: A total of 20 men were detained during a raid on a bungalow, believed to be the site of a gathering involving homosexual individuals.
The raid in Jalan Kemumin here last month raised concerns among authorities about increasingly bold illicit activities being organised behind closed doors.
Kelantan police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the operation was launched based on public tip-offs and intelligence gathered by a special task force, following a report regarding a so-called “food party” believed to be aimed at the gay community.
“Initial information indicated that over 100 local men were expected to attend the event. However, when the raid was carried out around 1am, most had already dispersed, and only about 20 individuals remained at the scene,” he told a press conference yesterday, Bernama reported.
He added that intelligence reports revealed the event began at night and was intended to continue until morning, with participants required to pay a fee.
The event was allegedly promoted via social media platforms.
Comm Mohd Yusoff said that during the raid, police discovered hundreds of condoms and several boxes of HIV medication in a room, believed to have been used by the organisers as a store.
He said further investigations into the mobile phones of three individuals led to the discovery of recordings containing gay pornographic content.
“Out of the more than 20 individuals detained, only three were charged as they were found in possession of pornographic material on their mobile phones.”
He also said there was no evidence of sexual activity at the premises at the time of the raid, and everyone was fully clothed.
“However, the presence of condoms and HIV medication suggests preparations were in place should such activity happen.”
He said those involved were in their 20s to 30s and came from various backgrounds, including civil servants.
“This is the first reported gay gathering of its kind in Kelantan, and the police successfully acted to detect and raid the event,” he said.
Comm Mohd Yusoff also revealed that some of the participants were found to be HIV positive and were undergoing treatment.
While no sexual activity was observed during the raid, he said, the police are treating the matter seriously, as such gatherings could serve as a platform for the spread of immoral activities and increase the risk of disease transmission, particularly HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
“The police will continue to monitor the movements of such groups, as we are concerned that they are becoming more active and bold.”
The police chief also urged members of the public to come forward with any information regarding the planning or promotion of such closed-door events, which are often circulated via social media and instant messaging applications.
