Senior citizen among 13 nabbed in Penang sauna raid
By
Audrey Dermawan
November 30, 2025 @ 2:36pm
A 66-year-old man and a university student were among 13 individuals detained during a police raid at a sauna centre in Jalan Prai Jaya, Prai, last night. - Pic cpurtesy of TVN
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BUKIT MERTAJAM: A 66-year-old man and a university student were among 13 individuals detained during a police raid at a sauna centre in Jalan Prai Jaya, Prai, last night.
The premises is believed to have been used for illicit same-sex activities.
Acting on intelligence, the D7 Division (Secret Societies, Gambling and Vice) of the Seberang Prai Tengah district police headquarters, together with the Licensing Operations Unit of the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP), conducted the raid at around 7pm.
The sauna occupies the first and second floors of a three-storey shoplot.
During the operation, several patrons on the second floor were found using the sauna, clad only in their underwear.
A total of 11 patrons, aged between 19 and 66, were arrested, including local men as well as two foreigners from Thailand and China. Two local caretakers of the premises were also taken into custody.
Authorities discovered that the sauna was equipped with a rest area, sauna facilities, and several partitioned rooms, believed to be used for same-sex activities. Condoms, lubricants, and other related items were also seized.
Investigations revealed that the sauna had been operating for five years, but had only begun attracting patrons for such activities in the past two months.
An entry fee of RM35 was reportedly charged. Visual guides displayed at the premises indicated the use of wrist and ankle bands that served as communication codes among patrons to signal personal preferences.
All individuals were brought to the Seberang Prai Tengah district police headquarters for further investigation. The case is being probed under Section 377B of the Penal Code.
State police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail, when contacted, confirmed the raid and arrests.
The operation comes shortly after a similar
raid at a gym and sauna in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, where some 201 visitors and seven employees were detained.
That premises was allegedly used as a meeting point for men engaging in immoral acts.
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar expressed serious concern over the arrests during the Chow Kit raid.
He reiterated the government's commitment to curbing immoral behaviour and sexual misconduct, and highlighted the need for stronger measures to safeguard ethical standards and integrity within the public service, adding that some of those detained were reported to be civil servants.
