TWO ELITE ENTERTAINMENT OUTLETS RAIDED, 107 FOREIGNERS, MOSTLY WOMEN, DETAINED

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) detained 107 foreigners during "Ops Gegar" at two entertainment premises around the Kepong light industrial area here last night.

Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said that in the operation, which began at 11:00 pm, a total of 224 individuals - consisting of 171 foreigners and 53 locals - were screened.

He said that initial checks led to the detention of 107 foreigners, comprising 93 women and 14 men from Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Laos, and Indonesia, who did not possess any travel documents or valid passes to be in the country.

"Initial intelligence found that the premises were guarded by security personnel, while the foreign women were managed by individuals acting as coordinators or 'mummy' to arrange guest relations services and stage performances.

"Service fees are believed to be determined based on a coloured card system, with rates ranging between RM100 and RM1,314," he said in a statement today.

Zakaria added that the department seized several items believed to be used for the premises' activities, including payment chips, garlands, computer sets, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems.

He said all the detained foreigners are suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966, and the Immigration Regulations 1963, and have been taken to the Lenggeng Immigration Depot for further action.

He also noted that seven locals were served notices to appear at the Immigration office to assist with further investigations.

-- BERNAMA