KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 398 individuals, including 128 foreign guest relation officers (GROs), were arrested during a two-day nationwide operation targeting unlicensed entertainment outlets.
The raids codenamed "Ops Noda" were conducted by Bukit Aman's CID Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies division (D7) on Friday (Nov 7), and Saturday (Nov 8).
Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the operation focused on entertainment premises operating without valid licences.
"We inspected 118 entertainment outlets nationwide. 103 were found to be operating without valid permits.
"We detained five premises owners, three managers, 150 workers, 112 customers and 128 foreign GROs," he said in a statement on Sunday (Nov 9).
Of those arrested, 87 were Malaysians (76 men and 11 women), while 311 were foreigners (151 men and 160 women), he said.
"Cash and various entertainment-related equipment were also seized,” he added.
All suspects, aged 19 to 55, were taken to nearby district police headquarters for documentation and further investigation under several laws, including Section 76 of the Excise Act 1976 for selling liquor without a licence, Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for overstaying in Malaysia after the expiry of a pass or permit and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering and remaining in Malaysia without valid documents.
Comm Kumar stated that these operations would continue to ensure all entertainment outlets in the country operate in accordance with licensing regulations.
"We urge the public to channel information to assist the authorities in combating such illegal activities,” he said.
