JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested 174 individuals following a week-long operation targeting vice activities across various locations in the state.
Johor Police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar stated that the raids, conducted between Nov 16 and 25, were carried out by the Johor Criminal Investigation Department in districts including Johor Baru South, Johor Baru North, Iskandar Puteri, and Batu Pahat.
"The operation aimed to eliminate prostitution-related activities at entertainment establishments, massage parlours, and hotels.
"A total of 16 premises were raided, resulting in the arrest of 174 individuals, comprising 12 locals and 162 foreigners. The suspects ranged in age from 18 to 54 years old," he said in a statement here on Monday (Nov 25).
Comm Kumar added that the local suspects included nine men and three women.
"The foreign nationals included 29 men from Vietnam (18), Myanmar (8), the Philippines (2), and Pakistan (1); and 133 women from Vietnam (93), Thailand (22), Myanmar (4), Indonesia (3), Laos (5), and China (6)," he added.
Comm Kumar also noted that authorities discovered 101 bottles of untaxed liquor, including whisky, beer, and brew, at one of the raided premises.
"Additional items seized during the operations included condoms, lubricants, notebooks, tissue rolls, towels, mobile phones, payment receipts, and various electronic equipment such as microphones, speakers, and amplifiers. Cash totaling RM14,174 was also confiscated.
The arrests and seizures are being investigated under multiple sections, including Sections 372B and 373 of the Penal Code for soliciting for prostitution and managing brothels.
Section 135(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for storing untaxed goods.
The case is being investigated under Section 6(2) of the Johor Entertainment Places Enactment for operating without a license and Section 11(2) of the same act for operating an entertainment centre beyond the allowed time.
It is also investigated under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959 for hiring foreign workers without a permit and Section 39(B) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for violating the requirement of their visit pass.
The foreign individuals will also be investigated under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act of 1959/63 for entering the country without valid travel documents and overstaying.
"The Johor Police will remain vigilant in tackling criminal activities that harm our community. We urge the public to report any suspicious activities through the Johor Police Hotline at 019-2792095 or the Command Room at 07-221 299," he added.
