The Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (FRHAM) views the recent alleged raid of a community-based sexual health event in Kelantan with considerable concern. The authorities were reported to have detained several men for attending a “gay sex party” in June 2025. The organisers have since clarified that the health event was a collaboration between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and a health clinic, which provided HIV prevention and testing services.
HIV prevention services include testing, treatment, safer sex practices such as using condoms, as well as through the usage of HIV medication. These services are essential public health initiatives, especially for populations that are at increased risk to HIV, including Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM), transgender persons, People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), and sex workers. Provision of these services is key to reducing the number of new HIV cases in the country.
But there are significant obstacles in reaching out to these communities. They have long faced discrimination, marginalisation, and societal disadvantages in general. This makes providing these services to them a challenging mission.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and related NGOs are lauded for their efforts to ensure a reduction in the number of new HIV cases. A successful reduction in the number of new cases among PWIDs was achieved through the national Needle and Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) – this is a clear testament to their dedication and hard work.
With that being said, the epidemic has since shifted to sexual contact as a primary mode of transmission[1] within the last decade. This necessitates a change of focus to effective prevention services that address this.
Persecution and harassment of the affected communities hinder provision of these services. A joint collaboration with, and support from, enforcement and religious authorities are vital as reaching out to these marginalized groups will be all the more difficult without it. We encourage further dialogues and productive communication with all relevant parties and stakeholders to better serve our communities, ensuring that safeguarding and care-based approaches are at the forefront of these efforts.
It is also important to highlight that the successful prevention of HIV not only reduces the burden of care and treatment on society at large; but by working towards judgment-free and non-discriminatory prevention and treatment services for these communities, we are able to support and empower People Living with HIV (PLHIV) as full contributing members to society.
FRHAM then takes the stand that the harassment and persecution of the affected communities must cease, and that the experts in the field must be granted the necessary space to accomplish their work.
DR ANNUAR HUSAINY HUSSEIN
ACTING CHAIRPERSON
FRHAM
[1] Disease Control Division, M. O. H. M. (2024). The Global AIDS Monitoring Report 2024: Country Progress Report – Malaysia (p. 5). Ministry of Health Malaysia. https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/Laporan/Umum/GAM_REPORT_2024-updated_22102024.pdf
