Raid on the White Loft Hotel

On 13 January 2026, authorities from the Melaka Islamic religious affairs department and the municipal council raided the White Loft Hotel in Malacca, Malaysia.[1][2][3] The hotel had allegedly advertised that it was "gay-friendly", and was subsequently closed.[4] On 15 January, the owner had apologized to the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) and removed the promotional material.[5][6][7] The hotel's license was subsequently suspended pending compliance with the Hotels (MPHTJ) By-Laws 2011.[5]

Background

The White Loft Hotel is a 37-room hotel in Melaka, Malaysia.[2] The hotel's website had listed being "gay-friendly" under a list of services provided, leading to social media criticism.[8]

Raid

The raid was conducted under the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (State of Melaka) 1991, including offenses under Section 56 (sodomy), Section 57 (attempted sodomy) and Section 58 (unnatural sexual relations).[9] The premises were empty when officers arrived, and Religious affairs executive councillor Rahmad Mariman noted no violations of the law were found upon inspection.[3][2]

Reaction

The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) condemned the raid and closure ahead of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026.[1][10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Reporters, F. M. T. (17 January 2026). "Melaka council suspends licence of 'gay-friendly' hotel". Free Malaysia Today | FMT. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Reporters, F. M. T. (13 January 2026). "Jaim, local authorities raid alleged 'gay-friendly' hotel in Melaka". Free Malaysia Today | FMT. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Pemilik hotel didakwa 'gay-friendly' masih tidak hadir beri penjelasan | Malaysia Tribune". 14 January 2026. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  4. ↑ Yaacob, Farhana (17 January 2026). "Melaka hotel owner apologises over 'gay-friendly' promo blunder | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Owner of 'gay-friendly' hotel in Melaka apologises". The Straits Times. 17 January 2026. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  6. ↑ ZAKARYA, DIYANATUL ATIQAH (14 January 2026). "Pemilik hotel promosi 'gay friendly' belum muncul". Kosmo Digital (in Malay). Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  7. ↑ Yaacob, Farhana (14 January 2026). "Pemilik hotel 'gay friendly' tak muncul". Harian Metro. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  8. ↑ Timur, Post Oleh : Anak Watan. "Kerajaan Negeri Melaka didesak siasat hotel label 'gay friendly'". 1Media.My. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "Hang Tuah Jaya council suspends licence of hotel touted as 'gay-friendly' on website". The Star. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  10. ↑ Mail, Malay (14 January 2026). "Samenta denounces Melaka 'gay-friendly' hotel raid, warns of harm to VMY 2026". Malay Mail. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
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