Immigration nabs dozens of foreigners in raids on Pontian nightclubs
Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the suspects, aged between 18 and 40, were arrested during an operation codenamed Ops Gegar, conducted at around midnight on Wednesday (July 30) in Pontian.
'A total of 69 individuals, including locals, were inspected during the operation.
'Further checks led to the arrest of 17 Vietnamese women, 11 Indonesian women and an Indonesian man.
'The suspects are believed to have misused their social visit pass and temporary work visit pass to work as waitresses at the entertainment centres,' he said in a statement on Friday.
He added that the department also arrested three local men, believed to be managers and supervisors of the centres.
Mohd Rusdi said the foreigners were detained under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering and staying in Malaysia without valid permits.
They are also being investigated under Section 15(1)(c) of the Act for overstaying, and Section 56(1)(i) for possessing false or altered entry permits, passes or certificates.
'They are also believed to have committed offences under Regulation 11(7)(a) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for misusing social visit passes, and Regulation 39(b) for violating the conditions of their passes.
'Meanwhile, the three Malaysians were detained for harbouring foreigners under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63,' he said.
Mohd Rusdi added that a total of 17 notices were issued to individuals to appear at the department's enforcement division to assist with investigations.
'All detainees are being held at the Pekan Nanas Immigration Depot for investigation and further action,' he said.
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