Immigration nabs 213 in raid on KL nightclub

KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department arrested 213 foreigners for various immigration-related offences after raiding a nightclub near Jalan Raja Chulan early on Thursday (Aug 22).

Immigration Department deputy director-general (operations) Jafri Embok Taha said 109 women and 104 men were arrested after his team checked 300 individuals, including 12 men and two local women, in Op Gegar at about 12.45am Thursday.

He said the nightclub provided karaoke rooms with fees ranging from RM4,000 to RM30,000, complete with the services of foreign women.

“We raided the nine-floor entertainment centre in the 21-storey building following complaints from the public who suspected illegal activities at the premises,” he told reporters shortly after the operation ended early this morning.

Jafri noted that the raid was a collaboration with Melaka Immigration, which brought 30 officers to assist 18 Kuala Lumpur Immigration officers.

The premises only offered online bookings to customers and did not allow “walk-in” guests to maintain familiarity with its clientele.

Those detained consisted of 186 Chinese nationals, two each from Cambodia and Hong Kong, and one each from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Myanmar, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Antigua Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis. The rest were locals, all aged between 20 and 60.

He said the offences included misuse of visit passes and not having valid travel documents. All arrested individuals were taken to the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office for further action under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.

“The owners of the premises will also face action as they are suspected of harbouring and employing immigrants under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63,” he added. – Bernama