Prostitution in Kuala Lumpur — An overview

Prostitution in Kuala Lumpur is fairly common. In its outward appearance and official laws Malaysia is a very conservative country that has completely outlawed sex work. However, legislation against the sale of sex hasn’t eliminated the practice in Malaysia anymore than than it has in any other country that has taken similar steps. The world’s oldest profession remains resilient.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and the epicenter of its large commercial sex industry. Even the short time visitor is likely to come across it in some form even if they aren’t searching it out or necessarily aware of what’s in front of them. Here’s a run down.

Massage parlors

The city is littered with run of the mill massage parlors though the numbers don’t approach cities like Bangkok and Pattaya where every street has a few. Many of these massage parlors will offer hands-on happy endings and a select few will offer even more. Unlike many other massage parlors around the world, fees and even tips at these establishments are often requested up front. The most well known street for massage parlors is Jalan Pudu. While not every service provider at every shop on that street offers extras, many do. Some of the masseuses are from Thailand and can perform really good legitimate massages which is rare for venues with extended menus. Massages typically cost 60 Ringgit per hour ($19 USD) and extras usually start at an additional 50 Ringgit ($16 USD). These massage parlors aren’t the nicest places around but they aren’t the worst either. Places with tinted windows and locked doors that buzz customers in one by one are obviously more likely to be keyed in to lonely guys than well lit flowery establishments.

Other massage parlors which may not be parlors at all advertise their services on Jalan Pudu and other streets around town. They use everything from leaflets and stickers to graffiti to promote their businesses, sometimes right in front of large and popular shopping centers. These services are typically trustworthy but there’s always a risk involved when dealing with operations like these.

Larger and better established massage parlors offering full service are scattered around town. I’ve already posted a review of Deluxe Health Spa. Other similar venues abound like Genesis Sauna Spa on Level 10 of Menara Genesis at 33 Jalan Sultin Ismail and Green Elephant Spa in the parking garage behind Sungai Wang Plaza on the same street. Someone published this list of sexy massage parlors in Kuala Lumpur back in 2010 but I can’t vouch for its accuracy. Typical rates at places like these range from 230 to 300 Ringgit ($73-95 USD).

Freelance prostitutes

Kuala Lumpur is also home to a number of freelancers who come into the country from places like Vietnam and the Philippines on tourist visas in search of some quick cash. These freelancers can be found all around with a quite a few using dating sites to meet potential clients during the day, even though they may not be explicit about their search for cash. The most popular venues are unquestionably a select number of bars where foreign and a few local men mingle together in hopes of making a financially motivated match. I posted a review of the Beach Club in Kuala Lumpur last month. The Thai Club across the street is a very similar establishment. Women at these bars usually ask for 300 to 600 Ringgit ($96-191 USD) for a full night of fun.

Street walkers

Countless street walkers from China and other parts of Asia ply their trade on Jalan Bukit Bintang throughout the day and night. When the sun is up a few dozen women can usually be found standing in front of the hotels and marts on the north side of the street between Jalan Pudu and Jalan Sultan Ismail. When the sun goes down many more women come out in the same area though they tend to cover both sides of the street. There are also quite a few ladyboys around at this time. The women stand on the sidewalks and wait for guys to approach them or give them “the look.” Few will approach men who walk through at full speed and look uninterested but a handful can be slightly aggressive at times. A short romp can go for as little as 50 Ringgit though most women ask for more.

Escorts

Kuala Lumpur is home to quite a few escorts. But several other cities of the same size have many more women escorting. Things are starting to change however. In recent times there seem to be more escorts than even. And they’re also becoming more accessible to the average guy.

There have long been independent escorts and agencies in Kuala Lumpur. But they’re weren’t always easy to contact or arrange appointments with. Some catered to different languages or population segments. Others seemed to come and go.

Other areas

Some guys love karaoke rooms or KTVS. I’m not one of them. A do know of a few in the city where extras may be available from the hostesses if the vibe (and money) is right. One is Bintang Palace at 1 Jalan Walter Grenier. Another is Emico on the 2nd Floor of 149 Lorong Loke Yew. I’m sure there are many more around.

Last but not least are the low cost brothels around town that are apparently set up to service those with very little cash to spend and shopping mall food courts where some women from mainland China look for clients. I don’t have much information on either. The former are tucked out of the way and among the least hygienic places of this sort to be found anywhere and the latter seem to require Chinese language skills to navigate.

That’s a concise overview of what I know about prostitution in Kuala Lumpur. I’ve said here before that it’s not among my favorite cities in the world to visit, which is probably why I’ve taken so long to post this report. It’s not a terrible place but there are a number of other cities that I personally prefer. Everyone has their own opinion, but one thing is for sure. Sex is on sale in Kuala Lumpur.