Southeast Asia
LGBTQ+ travel in Malaysia
CriminalizedLegal status
Is Malaysia LGBTQ+ friendly?
KL has a discreet gay scene, but raids and official hostility happen; keep a low profile and avoid public affection.
LGBTQ+ laws
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | No |
| Same-sex marriage | No |
| Civil unions or partnerships | No |
| Legal gender change | No |
| Anti-discrimination law | No |
| Legal penalty | Up to 20 years' prison plus caning; sharia courts can also punish Muslims |
LGBTQ+ friendliness by place in Malaysia
| Place | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Penang | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Langkawi | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Malacca | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Kota Kinabalu | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Cameron Highlands | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Perhentian Islands | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Ipoh | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Johor Bahru | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Genting Highlands | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Kuching | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Tioman | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Redang | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Semporna | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Sandakan | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Taman Negara | 2/5 · Hostile |
LGBTQ+ friendly by place
- Kuala LumpurLGBTQ+ friendly
- PenangLGBTQ+ friendly
- LangkawiLGBTQ+ friendly
- MalaccaLGBTQ+ friendly
- Kota KinabaluLGBTQ+ friendly
- Cameron HighlandsLGBTQ+ friendly
- Perhentian IslandsLGBTQ+ friendly
- IpohLGBTQ+ friendly
- Johor BahruLGBTQ+ friendly
- Genting HighlandsLGBTQ+ friendly
- KuchingLGBTQ+ friendly
- TiomanLGBTQ+ friendly
- RedangLGBTQ+ friendly
- SempornaLGBTQ+ friendly
- SandakanLGBTQ+ friendly
- Taman NegaraLGBTQ+ friendly
Sources
- ILGA World database
- US State Department travel advisory
- Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (Immigration Department)
- DE Rantau Nomad Pass (MDEC)
- Tourism Malaysia
- Speedtest Global Index: Malaysia
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.