KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Immigration Department has arrested 29 foreigners and four locals in a major enforcement action, Ops Gegar, conducted across Klang and Puchong on 1 October.
According to a statement, the operation was carried out by officers from the Enforcement Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia, Putrajaya, targeting hotels and reflexology centres suspected of illegal activities.
At about 3.20 pm, officers raided a hotel in Klang believed to be operating prostitution services involving foreign women. A total of 13 foreign women were arrested, comprising five Thai nationals, six Indonesians and two Vietnamese women. They were suspected of offering sex services to customers. In the same raid, two Indonesian women working as hotel cleaners without valid passes were also detained. All those arrested were between 19 and 53 years old.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate used websites to advertise services, with bookings made through WhatsApp and Telegram. Customers were directed to the hotel’s first floor, with service fees ranging from RM190 to RM960 depending on the nationality of the women. Two local men suspected of acting as guardians for the women were also arrested.
Later the same day, at around 5.30 pm, simultaneous raids were conducted at two reflexology centres in Puchong. A total of 25 individuals were checked, and 16 foreign women were arrested. They included nine Thai women, four from Myanmar, two from Laos, and one Chinese national, aged between 20 and 37 years. Two local employers were also taken into custody for hiring foreigners without valid work permits.
All detainees were sent to the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further investigation. Authorities confirmed the offences fall under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966 and the Immigration Regulations 1963. Possible charges may also be made under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).
The Immigration Department stressed that strict enforcement will continue against any party found violating Malaysia’s immigration laws, particularly those exploiting foreign workers for illegal activities. – Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia
