KUALA LUMPUR: Panicking over the arrival of authorities, guest relations officers (GRO) in a Puchong entertainment establishment hid under stairs, in bathrooms, between the walls of a stage and in storage rooms to avoid being arrested.
However, their efforts were unsuccessful after they were discovered by the Selangor Immigration Department during an Ops Gegar raid.
Selangor Immigration Department director Khairrul Aminus Kamaruddin said the raid began at 9pm and was led by the head of its enforcement division, Johari Supardi, involving 29 officers and staff.
He explained that the raid resulted in the detention of 56 Vietnamese GROs, eight Myanmar workers, and one Bangladeshi worker, aged 19 to 40 years.
"During the raid, some GROs hid under stairs, in bathrooms, in storage rooms, and between the walls of the stage. Even the customers tried to provoke authorities during the operation," he said in a statement today.
He added that the entertainment venue, which spanned three floors, required officers to break down the door on the upper floor after the management failed to cooperate.
"Officers had to take time to break the door due to its construction."
A total of 66 people were arrested to assist in the investigation under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.