KUALA LUMPUR: An exclusive karaoke outlet operating illegally from the basement parking area of a luxury residential complex in Taman Leng Seng has been raided, leading to the detention of 52 people.
The group includes dozens of suspected guest relations officers (GROs).
The raid, codenamed Ops Gegar, was carried out at about 1am on Saturday (July 11) by the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department with the assistance of Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Authorities believe the unlicensed entertainment outlet had installed three heavy security doors and closed-circuit television cameras at every entrance to avoid detection.
The premises, believed to have been operating for about two months, admitted only regular customers and featured more than 10 karaoke rooms alongside several rear exits used as escape routes.
During the operation, a local woman in her 50s suspected of acting as the establishment "mummy" denied managing the foreign GROs.
However, several patrons questioned at the premises denied arriving with the women, claiming the foreign GROs had been provided by the outlet.
Kuala Lumpur Immigration director Hamsha Injau said initial investigations indicated that customers were charged up to RM1,300 for a six-hour entertainment package.
The package included the karaoke room, alcoholic beverages and the services of GROs.
"Based on our preliminary investigations, we believe the foreign women were voluntarily working as GROs at the premises," he told reporters after the raid.
"We also believe the outlet has been operating for about two months."
Hamsha said a total of 52 individuals were detained, including four Malaysians comprising three men believed to be caretakers and managers of the premises, and a woman suspected of managing the GROs.
The foreign nationals detained included 33 Vietnamese women and one Thai woman believed to be working as GROs.
Also arrested were 15 male foreign workers comprising 10 Bangladeshis, four Myanmar nationals and one Chinese national.
In addition, witness summonses were issued to 19 Malaysian patrons found at the premises during the operation.
All those detained were taken to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot for documentation and further investigation.
