Local 'madam' Among 93 Detained In KL Immigration Raid On Nightspot, Dorm

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- A local ‘madam’ touted as a 'mak ayam' (pimp) was among 93 individuals detained in two raids on an entertainment centre on Jalan Kuchai Lama and a shophouse on Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1 here.

Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department (JIM) director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said the entertainment centre offered RM3,000 necklace garlands to entice foreign GROs for stage shows at the nightspot.

In the first raid at 11.45 pm yesterday, the individuals detained included the local woman manager, three Thai and Vietnamese women, four Taiwanese women, five Bangladeshi men, and three men and a woman from China.

“All foreigners were detained under Section 6(1)c (no work permit) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39B (misuse of social visit pass) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 while local citizens were detained under Section 56(1)(d) (for harbouring illegal immigrants) of the Immigration Act 1959/63,” he told reporters at the location of the second raid here.

Wan Mohammed Saupee also said the remaining 72 individuals were detained at a shophouse said to be illegally rented out to undocumented migrants at RM500 per room.

“Most of those detained were Indonesians with 28 men and 26 women, followed by 11 Bangladeshi men, two Myanmar nationals, two Indians, two Pakistanis and one Nepalese man. All were arrested under Section 15 (1) c (for overstaying) and Section 6 (1) c (no visit pass) of the Immigration Act 1959/63," he said.

He reminded all undocumented migrants to participate in the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0, which has been extended until April 30 next year, specifically for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

He said immigration checks will ensure Kuala Lumpur remains a safe and tranquil capital.

"Based on operational statistics, the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department will conduct raids every two weeks, especially in the Chow Kit area, which is identified as a hotspot with many undocumented foreigners working illegally here," he said.

-- BERNAMA