Close to 200 nabbed in anti-vice raids in Johor and Selangor

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 197 people, including 155 foreign women and six foreign transvestites working as guest relations officers (GROs), have been detained in raids on two entertainment outlets in Johor and Selangor.

The raids were conducted by Bukit Aman CID’s Gambling, Vice and Secret Societies Prevention Division (D7).

Bukit Aman CID deputy director (Investigation/Legislation) Deputy Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the first raid was conducted at a club in Taman Tampoi Indah, Johor Baru at about 12.45am on Thursday (Oct 12).

“We detained 99 individuals, GROs comprising 82 Thai women, two female Laotian nationals, a Vietnamese and six Thai transvestites.

“We also detained five Bangladeshi men and three local men, one a manager and the rest waiters,” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Monday (Oct 16).

Checks were also performed on 69 customers, including 48 local men, on the premises.

“The club was on the fourth floor of a shophouse and operated from 8pm to 4am daily.

“It also provided live band performances and had two karaoke rooms priced at RM3,000 per room,” he added.

The club also sold floral necklaces for between RM100 and RM30,000 to secure the services of the GROs, he said.

“The GROs did not have valid work permits,” he added.

In the second raid, D7 officers and personnel raided a club in Taman Perindustrian Puchong at about 11.45pm on Saturday (Oct 14) and detained 98 people.

“Among them were 73 GROs comprising 63 Thai women, six Vietnamese women, one Laotian woman and three Thai men,” he added.

DCP Rusdi said the club offered karaoke rooms for rent at between RM800 and RM2,000 depending on the size.

“The services of the GROs cost RM100 an hour while tips can be bought in the form of floral necklaces priced between RM50 and RM500.

“Direct tips could also be given to the GROs if a customer is satisfied with their services.

“The outlet also sold beer buckets priced at RM150 each,” he said.

A total of 15 customers were also detained after testing positive for drugs, he added.

“We also detained two other local men who were bouncers for the club.”