Under arrest: Those detained in the Immigration raid on a beauty clinic in Bukit Bintang.
KUALA LUMPUR: A foreign-owned beauty clinic in Bukit Bintang, believed to be operating illegally, was raided, resulting in 15 undocumented foreigners being nabbed.
It is learnt that the beauty clinic was operating without a valid licence from the Health Ministry.
The operation, codenamed Ops Dandan, was conducted on Tuesday after authorities received a public complaint.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said a total of 18 individuals were inspected during the raid.
“Fifteen foreign nationals – six men and seven women from China, as well as two women from Myanmar – were working at the premises without valid temporary work permits for foreign workers (PLKS).
“Initial investigations showed that the Chinese nationals had allegedly misused their Social Visit Pass to work in the country,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Immigration officers also seized various items during the operation, including staff uniforms, mobile phones, laptops, closed-circuit television equipment, business licences and other company-related documents, he said.
“Investigations showed that the clinic offered facial and body beauty treatments using foreign workers who had entered the country on social visit passes.
“The premises is believed to be owned by a Chinese national who had also allegedly committed an immigration offence,” he said.
The clinic is believed to have been in operation for about a year, he added.
“We believe the business has generated hundreds of thousands of ringgit in profits,” he said.
All the foreign nationals detained are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“They have been taken to the Kuala Lumpur Immigration office for further action.
“Three local women employed at the clinic were issued notices to appear at the immigration office to assist with investigations,” he said.
Zakaria said the department would continue taking firm action against any activities that violate Malaysian laws.
“Members of the public should not harbour or assist individuals involved in immigration offences.
“Report such offences to the department as soon as possible,” he urged.
