COMMENT | It was widely reported that despite the massive operation by the police in raiding a health club alleged to have been involved in same-sex activities, 171 suspects were released as the police failed to obtain a remand order.

A remand order is legally necessary if police fail to complete their investigation within 24 hours of a suspect’s detention. This is a constitutional protection.

In the present case, police needed to obtain a remand order from a magistrate to complete their investigation under Sections 377 and 372 of the Penal Code.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, however...