KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-six foreign women were among 28 foreigners arrested following raids on several massage parlours around Puchong and Kuala Lumpur.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the raids, which were based on public complaints and intelligence gathered over two weeks by the Immigration Department’s Enforcement Division, involved 55 officers of various ranks.
"During the operation, 42 individuals were screened.
"A total of 28 foreigners, aged 21 to 35, were detained for various immigration offences.
"Those detained were two Thai women, one Chinese man and three Chinese women, five Myanmar women, 12 Indonesian women, four Vietnamese women, and one male Indian national," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 24).
The offences ranged from overstaying to not possessing valid travel documents, he added.
"All those detained were sent to the KLIA Immigration Depot for further investigation," he added.
Zakaria said the outlets operated as spas or reflexology centres during the day, using formal names and décor as a cover.
"However, their activities intensified in the evenings and at night, when they offered services promoted through business cards, social media and messaging apps.
"Among the packages were “water bath” sessions and sexual services priced between RM200 and RM350, depending on the package and duration chosen. The outlets were also equipped with private rooms and closed-off spaces for selected clients" he said.
Zakaria said investigations revealed that each massage parlour could rake in up to RM300,000 a month from such activities.
“Firm action will also be taken against any party that employs or harbours undocumented migrants,” he said.
