KUALA LUMPUR: Seven Indonesian nationals believed to be working illegally as therapists have been detained following raids on several premises offering beauty and aesthetic services in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
The Immigration Department said the seven Indonesians – one man and six women aged between 19 and 44 – were detained during a special operation on Wednesday (Sept 23).
The operation, which began at about 12.15pm, was conducted at four locations – one around Jalan Uranus in Shah Alam, one in Pandan Perdana, and two in Kepong.
The operation involved officers from the Immigration Department's Intelligence and Special Operations Division at its headquarters in Putrajaya, with the cooperation of enforcement officers from the Pharmacy Enforcement Branch of the Health Departments in Putrajaya, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
"The raids followed a month-long period of intelligence gathering and information received from the public.
"Among the items seized were medicines, equipment used for beauty and aesthetic treatments, a mobile phone and RM400 in cash believed to be proceeds from the activities.
"The group allegedly offered beauty and aesthetic services to Malaysians and foreigners, particularly Indonesians in the Klang Valley," the department said in a statement on Friday (Sept 25).
The services were promoted through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, with customers required to make appointments.
"The activities were also allegedly carried out at rented residential premises to evade detection by the authorities.
"The Indonesian nationals are believed to have learned aesthetic treatment techniques in their home country and Malaysia," it said.
The department said the operation was believed to have been running since last year and could generate up to RM50,000 a month, depending on the number of customers and services provided.
Three of those detained – two women and a man – are being investigated under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Three women are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act, while another woman is being investigated under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
The department said the foreign nationals would also be investigated by the Health Ministry for alleged offences under Regulations 7(1) and 30(1) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 involving possession of products not registered with the ministry.
All seven were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further action.
The department said it would continue taking firm action against activities that violated the country's laws to safeguard national stability and prosperity.
