KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has successfully busted a foreign prostitution syndicate in a special operation across eight separate locations in the Klang Valley.
In a statement, its director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said that the raids, conducted in the areas of Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Pudu, Kg Baru Subang, Puchong city centre, Taman Andalas Jaya, Taman Bayu, and Klang Central in Klang, were based on public information and a two-week surveillance.
"Following that, officers from various ranks from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division apprehended 32 female Indonesians, 11 female Bangladeshis, eight female Vietnamese, six female Indians, seven male Bangladeshi nationals, two male Myanmar nationals, and an Indonesian male.
"They were all aged between 17 and 46 years old."
Ruslin also said that seven Malaysian males and a female aged between 23 and 65 years old were also detained.
"Initial checks also revealed that 13 Indonesian females and four Vietnamese females possessed valid passports, while two Indonesian female nationals and a Vietnamese female had overstayed their visas.
"Other foreign nationals detained lacked valid travel documents or passports to remain in the country," he said.
Ruslin said the authorities also seized a mobile phone, 15 copies of Indonesian passports, five copies of Vietnamese passports, cash amounting to RM1,750, a computer set, and 10 customer logbooks.
He added that the syndicate's modus operandi involved offering body massage and prostitution services where clients would personally visit the premises and select foreign women from a provided catalogue.
"Alternatively, clients could choose foreign women via photos sent through Telegram and WhatsApp applications.
"Cash payments ranging from RM100 to RM400 per hour were made to the premises' attendants upon entering the rooms."
Ruslin said that all foreign nationals were detained under suspicion of violating the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, and Immigration Regulations 1963, and were held at the Semenyih Immigration Depot for further investigation.
"Meanwhile, seven Malaysian male and a Malaysian female believed to be employed as premises attendants were detained under Section 56(1)(d) and Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
"Additionally, three Nepalese males, a Bangladeshi male, 14 Malaysian males, and one Malaysian female national were issued notices to report to the office to assist in investigations."
He added that the department intends to take strict action against any party found guilty under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).