KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities have limited control over activities carried out at premises licensed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic) said in the wake of a recent raid on a men-only spa in Chow Kit.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) told the Dewan Rakyat that DBKL issues licences based on the activities declared in applications, but operations that go beyond what is approved fall outside its purview.
“When an application states the premises is for a spa, we grant the licence accordingly.
“However, sometimes, the activities carried out before or after are beyond our control, and that is when issues arise,” she said during the question-and-answer session yesterday.
Dr Zaliha said DBKL has measures in place to monitor licensed premises, including regular inspections and enforcement actions in response to complaints.
“DBKL conducts periodic checks. If complaints arise, we enforce the law, and that is when we often find activities that do not comply with the licence,” she added.
She also highlighted the role of the KL Strike Force, a multi-agency committee set up to act on complaints and conduct routine monitoring.
“KL Strike Force works not only with DBKL but also with agencies such as the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi), Social Welfare Department and the police. Action is taken according to the respective agency’s mandate,” she said.
Dr Zaliha was responding to Tampin MP Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa, who had asked about monitoring of spa licences, public concern over immoral activities at such premises, and the enforcement roles of DBKL and other agencies.
Her remarks follow the detention of 202 people at a wellness centre in Chow Kit last week, which was suspected of operating as a men-only sex venue.
Of the people arrested, 171 local men were released after a magistrate rejected a late remand application, which was due to the large number of detainees.
Only 31 foreign nationals were remanded for two days, with others being investigated under the Immigration Act.
On Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said Jawi is still investigating more than 100 local individuals arrested during the raid.
He said the investigation is being conducted under Section 25 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 for sodomy and Section 47 of the same Act for attempted offences.
“This act is unacceptable, not only legally, but even more so from a religious standpoint,” Mohd Na’im said.
