of Service to Asia's
Gay & Lesbian Community!
 |
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Travel & Resources: MALAYSIA
Please help us keep these listings up-to-date. Special thanks to Vik, just4qt, riverrobles, alexbam, u, Topmalaysian, Tony C., DickyDock, Wong, Stuart J., Andy, Imran, Rahim, Joel Lim, Steven Wong, Raymond P., Marcus Chong, DeoN, Philip C., Gilbert, Philip J., Ali, R. Lew, Alfred, Gary, Kevin, John, P.K., M. Sharif, Ray, Brad, David N., Chris, Yau, Linus, Rico, Michael, Eddry, Alex, Tony, Bill, Baleno, Sylvia Tan, and Uno for contributing. |
| Advisory: Gay life in Malaysia, as in other Asian countries, is blossoming despite conservative religion-based discrimination and outdated colonial-era laws. Former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, was famously removed from office by a trumped-up sodomy conviction that was reversed by Malaysia's high court in 2004. Muslims, both local and visitors, are also subject to religious law which may (though rarely does) punish gay or lesbian sexual activity with flogging and male transvestism with imprisonment. Even though religious law does not apply to non-Muslims, Islam is the state religion under Malaysia's constitution and thus homosexual citizens face official discrimination. Police may arrest any person (Muslim or not) for sex in a public place (i.e. cruise spots), so visitors are well-advised to respect Malaysian law and customs while they are guests in the country. Having said that, police generally have not detained foreigners during raids on local gay businesses, focusing instead on ethnic Malay customers, almost 100% of whom are considered Muslim at birth by law. |
 |
The updated and expanded 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Malaysia surveys the gay and lesbian scene in 17 cities. Listings include gay scene maps, organizations, bars, discos, spas, accommodations, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Click here to order
|
Yes, the country was once lead by a cranky homophobe, Mahathir Mohamad, who infamously ousted his one-time protégé, Anwar Ibrahim, on trumped-up sodomy charges, despicably wielding antique colonial buggery laws to do so.
Times change. Homohaters and dictators are relegated to the dust bin these days. Anwar’s groundless conviction was overturned by Malaysia’s high court in 2004. Mahatir’s daughter, Marina, works tirelessly behind the scenes to support AIDS/HIV education, including championing efforts by Malaysian GLBT health worker heroes.
Malaysia is thriving under the fresh air of tolerance and democracy. Straight-owned venues openly cultivate custom from the gay community, while homosexual entrepreneurs launch trendy businesses and mini-utopias of their own.
Conversations with locals are delightfully candid. Educated and pragmatic, the younger generation takes a practical point of view towards the special challenges of their rainbow society. As one highly-placed official told us: as a gay Muslim he just takes the hurdles of life one day at a time
The country remains wonderfully undiscovered by a majority of travelers. That should really change. Beyond Kuala Lumpur, there is much to delight shoppers, history buffs, foodies and adventurers, especially in smaller cities like Melaka, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Penang.
Malaysia is divided into two parts geograpically, the Penisular (West Malaysia) and Borneo (East Malaysia). There are 11 states in West Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang (Penang), Perak, Sekangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka (Malacca), Johor, Phang, Kelantan and Trengganu. East Malaysia is comprised of Sabah and Sarawak.
"I travel very frequently to Ipoh, in addition to the tasty hawker food, I always make it a point to visit DMan male massage. In Ipoh, for gay travelers, this is the place to check-out. Very clean and well-kept. I have always been very satisfied by their all-round deep body massage. Being an average size set-up, their masseurs are sometimes limited, and they are always fully booked. It is advisable to call ahead for appointment." -- midtowne, Jan 5, 2008
Birthplace of Maylaya, home to immigrants from India and China, origin of Peranakan culture, coveted trading post of Muslim traders, the Portuguese, the Dutch and British; this old port city is a living museum of all of these influences. From the Dutch Stadhaus civic center, now a museum; to the jam-packed streets of Nyonya and Baba shophouses; to the Hindu temple, mosque and Chinese temple that co-exist right next to each other -- Malaka is tropical, enchanting, and resilient.
The population of Melaka is over 600,000 (that's 24,000 Utopians).
Melaka's Old Town heritage neighborhood is easy to navigate using our Utopia map:JOHOR BAHRU | KOTA KINABALU
Other cities and provinces are listed below...
KUALA LUMPUR | KUCHING
LANGKAWI | PENANG
Malaysia will no doubt surprise you. This multi-cultural nation, largely populated by moderate Muslims and fiercely intolerant of being bullied by western powers, is filled with charm, nature, culture, and warm hospitality. Remarkably, it also has a thriving gay scene (perhaps Southeast Asia’s most exciting) which, while still mostly underground, is basically tolerated by the live-and-let-live attitude of its people.
Lesbian listings
Malaysia Gay & Lesbian News
Malaysia Gay Scene Updates message forum
Men in Malaysia message forum
Travel in Malaysia message forum
Additional Links and Resources
Malaysia AIDS/HIV organizations and information
Email. A non-profit social group, operating for more than 4 years, based in Kuala Lumpur and comprised of graduates of a leadership program that is committed to improving the quality of life for Malaysian PLUs. Regular social events are open to all walks of life regardless of race, language, occupation background or sexual orientation. Monthly social activities are healthy and fun, positive and meaningful: local and overseas trips, jungle trekking, karaoke competitions, day trip outings, movie outings, sports activities, and community service.
7C-2, Jln Ipoh Kechil (off Jln Raja Laut), (60-3) 404-44611 FAX 404-44622, email. Confidential telephone counseling and information on HIV/AIDS and sexuality: (60-3) 4044-5455, 4044-5466 (19:30-21:30 Mon-Fri). A volunteer, non-profit, NGO involved in community-based work on sexuality and AIDS. Formed in 1987 by a group of concerned gay men in Kuala Lumpur, it provides counseling and support to individuals dealing with issues around homosexuality. Its also runs AIDS prevention and support programs for gay men and women, mak nyah (transgender), sex workers, drug users and People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Pink Triangle Foundation was the winner of a 2001 Utopia Award.
Discount hotel, tour, and transportation bookings around Asia.
Utopia Member DiscountALOR STAR (Kedah)
Alor Star is the capital of Kedah and one of the oldest towns in the region, founded in 1735. The population is over 200,000 (that's about 8,000 Utopians).
Next to the KFC in Jln Stadium. PLUs mostly swim during the evening sessions (5:30-9pm), Mon, Tue and Thu. The changing room is very busy from 7:30pm to closing time.
A quite garden that doubles up as car park. From stadium/Merdeka garden, it is only 3 minutes walk, diagonally across the big roundabout. Very close to hospital car park area. Be discreet. Quite a busy place nightly after dark.
Just in front of the stadium. Nightly. PLUs gather by the roadside, near the benches. Cruise in the garden for more opportunities. Be discreet.
Nightly. PLUs gather near the entrance to the Maksak gym, facing Merdeka Garden. Beware of kaki paw. Be discreet.
BINTULU (Sarawak)
The population of Bintulu is over 110,000 (that's about 5,000 Utopians).
Live music.
IPOH (Perak) -- area code (60-5)
Ipoh is the capital city of Perak, halfway between Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and is famous for its delicious food, pomelos, limestone caves and good-looking people (with good, clear complexions they credit to the spring waters from the limestone hills). Also known as 'Hill City', Ipoh is the second largest city in Malaysia, with a population nearing 750,000 (that's about 30,000 Utopians). It is also the second largest ethnic Chinese urban center of the nation.
Click here for Ipoh hotels and accommodations.
1/F 94-A Jln Raja Ekram, 012-517-7677, 016-203-5123, email. Located in a discreet corner in the town center, the first shoplot of the row of shops in front of RegaLodge Hotel. The one and only gay-owned and managed business in Ipoh. Teakwood ambience with 9 individual, spacious rooms, offering quality full-body massage. Clean and well-kept. Good selection of trained masseurs from Ipoh and neighboring villages.
Comments from Utopians:
"One of the worst massages that I have ever had. However, partly my own fault because the captain was frank enough to tell me the massuers were new. The moment mine touched me I knew that probably he has just started learning how to massage." -- younggun80, Mar 19, 2008
Comments from Utopians:
"The Railway Station has a garden in front that is busy after 8pm until morning, especially holidays. The swimming pool at the Ipoh Stadium has some gay cruising there, too." -- ijay82, Sep 25, 2006
JOHOR BAHRU -- area code (60-7)
Click here for Johor Bahru listings.
KOTA KINABALU (Sabah) -- (60-88)
Click here for Kota Kinabalu listings.
KUALA LUMPUR -- area code (60-3)
Click here for Kuala Lumpur listings.
KUANTAN (Pahang)
Kuantan, capital of Malaysia's largest state, has a population approaching 400,000 (that means there are about 16,000 Utopians here).
Men in Kuantan message forum
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Teluk Cempedak.
KUCHING (Sarawak)
Click here for Kuching listings.
LANGKAWI / PULAU LANGKAWI (Kedah) -- area code (60-4)
Click here for Langkawi listings.
MELAKA / MALACCA -- area code (60-6)
Melaka is one of Malaysia's national treasures, though it hardly looks as though the government cares much to preserve this historic and colorful heritage gem. Just two hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, gay tourists who love food, culture, history and shopping should add this city to their itineraries.
Men in Melaka / Malacca message forum
-
Click here for Melaka hotels and accommodations.
- Geographer Café (mixed)
- Jonker Walk (see map). Not particularly gay, but all of Melaka's visiting gays seem to pass through this popular night spot at one time or another during their stay.
- Libra (mixed)
- 15 Jln Hang Lekir, 281-8819, 281-8820. Restaurant and cocktail lounge especially popular with women. Tomboy staff and lesbian-friendly management.
- Limau-Limau (mixed)
- Jonker Walk (see map), opposite and down from Number Twenty gay guesthouse.
- Pure Bar (mixed)
- 591-A Taman Melaka Raya. This former gay-friendly gusethouse has morphed into Melaka's funkiest nightclub! Still warmly welcoming local and visiting gays and lesbians.
 The Orangutan House
|
Comments from Utopians:
"For those who are interested...guy gathering place is at the Melaka Central Bus Station! Especially the facilities." -- princemelaka, Feb 20, 2005"The old 'Padang' situated between the foot of the St. Paul's Hill steps and the A&W restaurant comes alive after midnight every night, esp. Fri and Sat nights. Singles and groups of youths gather there, cruising nonchalantly. The scene is very local -- Chinese, Malays, Indians. Regulars who visit are the Malay, mustached, army guys from the camp on the outskirts of Melaka. A caucasian friend had his bottom pinched within minutes of walking about. Be wary of the odd rent types. Otherwise, enjoy the cruise!" -- Anonymous, May 15, 1997
- Bert's Garden (Malaysian and seafood)
- 2078-C Jln Kg. Pinang, Tanjung Kling, 315-2213 (after 3pm), 013-683-6633. Excellent local specialties and fresh seafood at this seaside garden restaurant, just north of town on the stretch of classic and deco seaside mansions of Melaka's old money millionaires. Try the otat-otat, tiny fish soufflés steamed in folded palm leaves. Open daily from 5pm-12:30am.
- Best Café (Nyonya Baba cuisine)
- 13 Lorong Hang Jebat (see map), 282-7682. Authentic local specialties in this unpresuming streetside café. The friendly owners out you right at ease. Locals recommend the Devil's Curry, a hearty stew of chicken, potatoes and vegetables. How about a plate of aromatic, marinated saté sticks?
- Daniel and Lily's
- Nearly hidden at the back of Old Town (see map), this favorite local eatery dishes out authentic Melakan home made cooking and deserts. Come early for lunch as the most popular items start to run out by the afternoon.
- Dutch Harbour Café
- 39 Jln Laksamana, Riverside, 283-7606, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly restaurant serving a mixture of western and Southeast Asian foods. Specialties include pizza, coffees and fresh fruit drinks. Three areas to dine in: an historic main room, a garden courtyard or tables by the riverside. Young and talented waiters speak excellent English and are happy to serve.
Utopia Member Discount
- The Riverside Spa
- 50 Lorong Hang Jebat (see map, nearly opposite the main Orangutan gallery), 288-3882. Located within a wooden Baba Nyonya Peranakan house dating back to the 1940s. The entire style is nostalgic, complete with spiral staircases. 1/F sports a dark steam room and café; 2/F has two TV sections and features different chill out areas. The attic has another steam room and an open air shower. Open M-F from 5pm-midnight; Sat, Sun and holidays from 3pm-midnight.
Comments from Utopians:
"I went to Riverside Spa which was not too crowded. Guys there are a real turn on for me! The sauna is just next door to the Biscuit Shop or Kedai Biskut on Lrg Hang Jebat, diagonally opposite the Chengho Museum, a stone's throw from Jonker Walk. So if you are visiting historic Melaka, drop by Riverside and enjoy yourself. I will definitely be back!" -- Fip, May 2, 2008"Riverside Spa is rustic, nostalgic and has lots of character. It has not changed a bit since since I was here two years ago. I really like the wooden floors and the Peranakan style. The crowd is touristic but friendly, too." -- alexbam, Nov 25, 2007.
MIRI (Sarawak)
-
The population of Miri is 180,000 (that's over 7,000 Utopians).
- Cherries Berries (mixed)
- Pelita Commercial Center (near the Grand Palace Hotel).
Comments from Utopians:
"Cherries Berries is still a hot place for the caucasians. On and off you will see some ang mos bring their young local lovers for drinks and live music." -- KennyKgm, Oct 1, 2007
Comments from Utopians:
"The Imperial Mall ground floor facilities are very cruisy! But beware of pickpockets who pretend to be friendly. The Bintang Plaza is also frequented by cruising men of the closets..." -- Fip, Jun 13, 2005
PENANG -- area code (60-4)
- Click here for Penang listings.
PETALING JAYA (Selangor) -- area code (60-3)
-
The population of Petaling Jaya is approaching half a million (that's 20,000 Utopians).
- Men in Petaling Jaya
- Click here for Petaling Jaya listings (combined with Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley).
SANDAKAN (Sabah)
-
The population of Sandakan is 300,000 (that's 12,000 Utopians).
- Sabah Hotel
- Gym and poolside get very Cruisy after work (5-8pm). Favorite meeting place for locals and foreigners. Check out the sauna and steam room!
Comments from Utopians:
"I found the comments below to be rather misleading. I have been here 3 days. No one talks to me in the steam or sauna. I don't see anyone cruising around in the hotel, though there are cute guys and they are usually the hotel guests." -- Ed S., Jul 31, 2005"The Sandakan Hotel is definitely a place to meet up few local guys that always hangout in 7-Heaven. They are typically very friendly in the sauna and steam room, too." -- asianbackpacker, Dec 24, 2004
- 7 Heaven (dessert parlour)
- Bandar Indah, Mile 4 (behind Parkwell supermarket). Gay friendly staff and lots of PLUs and gorgeous people hanging out, especially at night.
Comments from Utopians:
"Went to 7 Heaven. Good dessert, decent decor, staff are friendly but mainly female workers and boss and manager are female! you will probably see a table or two of gays (I can't tell though). It is not too gay a place after all." -- Ed S., Jul 31, 2005"I've visited 7 Heaven, the desserts were great and the staff were friendly, too. It is owned by a PLU guy who is friendly to all the patrons." -- asianbackpacker, Dec 24, 2004
SUBANG JAYA (Selangor) -- area code (60-3)
-
The population of Subang Jaya is approaching half a million (that's 20,000 Utopians).
- Click here for Subang Jaya listings (combined with Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley).
SUNGAI PETANI (Kedah)
-
The population of Sungai Petani is over 150,000 (that's more than 6,000 Utopians).
- This is a university town: UUM,UiTM,PTPL, etc. The schools are where PLU's get their source of hot jocks and cute guys.
- Central Square, the most popular mall, has some (not lots) of action on each facility of its 5 floors. Lots of cruising around the top floors since most of the stud dudes are either bowling, watching movies, doing their karaoke, chatting or just roaming popular bookstores.
- The park just near the town's public library is a meeting place for PLU's, however it's not advisable to go alone at night.
Comments from Utopians:
"Yeah its boring here but we do have some action to boast of." -- riverrobles, Oct 22, 2005
TAWAU (Sabah)
-
The population of Tawau is about a quarter million (that's 10,000 Utopians).
- Code1069
- Fajar complex. Friendly staff in this local bar that welcomes gays and lesbians and flies the rainbow colors.
![[BACK A PAGE]](backm.gif)
![[HOME PAGE]](homopage.gif)
 |
|
|
FRANGIPANI BAR & CAFE is Shanghai's sleek and friendly gay bar and party space...
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
Australia
+ Cambodia
+ China/Hong Kong
+ India
+ Indonesia
+ Japan + Korea
+ Laos + Malaysia
+ Mongolia
All original content (c) 1995-2008 by Utopia Asia |