KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 171 local men detained during a raid on a wellness centre in Chow Kit here were released after the Magistrate’s Court rejected the police’s remand application, citing late submission.
According to Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus, the delay in applications resulted from the large number of arrests.
“The sheer number of arrests meant the processing took time, and as a result, the remand application was filed late.
“The magistrate then decided to reject it,” he told reporters after attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kampung Sungai Baru Redevelopment Project here yesterday.
Of the 202 individuals arrested during the raid, only 31 foreigners were remanded for two days, he added.
“Those without identification documents are being investigated under the Immigration Act. The arrests involve social crime concerns, which we view seriously.”
Comm Fadil added that all those detained were initially investigated under Sections 377 and 372 of the Penal Code.
“However, police found no evidence to support further action under those provisions.
“Although action was taken, the organiser appears to be still at large.
“Under current laws, offences involving exploitation, prostitution or unnatural sex require the presence of a victim. None of those detained claimed to be victims, so the case cannot proceed,” he explained.
Friday’s raid was the result of a two-week surveillance operation conducted by Kuala Lumpur police with assistance from Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department.
The premises, located on the second and third floors of a shoplot, had been operating as a gym on the ground floor, with upper floors converted into a sauna and jacuzzi area.
The centre operated under the guise of a health and wellness facility – equipped with a gym, sauna, spa, swimming pool and designated rest areas – catering specifically for men.
It is believed to have been operating for the past eight months.
Customers were charged a RM10 lifetime registration fee and RM35 per visit.
Police believed the operators promoted the centre through social media, where patrons would connect and mingle.
Those detained included locals as well as individuals from South Korea, Indonesia, Germany and China.
