POLICE DETAIN 398 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH 'OP NODA' CARRIED OUT NATIONWIDE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Police arrested 398 individuals through an integrated operation called 'Op Noda' which was carried out simultaneously across the country from last Friday until yesterday.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Director, Datuk M. Kumar, said the operation was conducted at 118 entertainment premises, and out of that number, 103 premises were found to be operating without a valid entertainment licence.

"Those arrested comprised five premise owners, three premise managers, 150 employees, 112 patrons, and 128 foreign Guest Relations Officers (GROs), in addition to a sum of cash and various entertainment equipment also being confiscated.

"Of the total, 87 were local citizens (76 men and 11 women), while 311 were foreign nationals (151 men and 160 women), all aged between 19 and 55," he said in a statement here today.

All of them have been taken to the nearest district police headquarters for documentation and further investigation.

The operation was carried out in cooperation with the local authorities and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) in the states concerned.

The cases are being investigated under Section 76 of the Excise Act 1976, Section 15(1)(C), Section (6)(1)(C), and Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Regulation 39(B) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, and the respective state's Entertainment Enactment and Entertainment Ordinance where the individuals were detained.

He said similar operations will continue to be intensified to ensure that all entertainment centres in the country operate according to licence requirements and are registered, and the public is urged to channel information to help the authorities combat such (illegal activities).

-- BERNAMA