JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested 83 foreigners, including 36 women, following raids at eight entertainment outlets across several districts in Johor.
State police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the simultaneous operations targeted premises run by foreigners to curb activities involving illegal immigrants and ensure such outlets are not misused.
“The eight premises in Johor Baru south, Iskandar Puteri, Kulai and Seri Alam were raided in the operation that took place from 10pm on Saturday (Aug 30) until 3am the following day.
“Those detained comprised 47 men and 36 women from Myanmar, aged between 12 and 47,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
He said from the arrests, nine were working as caretakers, another one as a cook, 29 as hostesses, while the remaining 44 were customers without valid travel documents.
Various assets, including RM5,088 in assorted currencies, loudspeakers, microphones, CCTV decoders, mobile phones, tablets, computers, amplifiers, business account books and sales receipts, were seized in the operation.
"Checks revealed that the entertainment outlets did not have valid business and entertainment licences, while also employing foreign workers without permits or valid documents," he said.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 6(2) of the Johor Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment for operating an entertainment outlet without a licence, punishable with a fine not exceeding RM10,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
It is also probed under Section 3(1) of the Johor Baru City Council Trade, Business and Industrial Licensing By-laws 2016 for operating without a valid licence and Section 107(5) of the Local Government Act 1976 for failing to display and present a business licence.
Those arrested would also be investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for illegal entry, overstaying, and for employing foreigners without valid permits.
Comm Ab Rahaman stressed that the operation was part of efforts to curb entertainment outlets controlled by foreigners, which could cause public concern, social problems, security threats and other unlawful activities.
“We will intensify our efforts and will not compromise with foreigners who reside illegally, overstay or misuse their travel passes in this country," he said.
He urged those with information related to criminal activities to contact the Johor police hotline at 019-2792 095 or the operations room at 07-2212 999.
