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Those detained were found to be misusing their work permits, which were originally issued for employment in the construction and cleaning sectors - June 15, 2025
Immigration raids in Pahang see 99 foreign nationals detained at entertainment venues
Eighty-five foreign women suspected of working illegally as hostesses arrested in early morning crackdown in Kuantan
IMMIGRATION authorities detained 99 foreign nationals, including 85 women suspected of working as guest relation officers (GROs), during coordinated raids on six entertainment outlets in Jalan Gambut in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The operations, carried out around 1am under "Ops Gegar", were led by the Pahang Immigration Department (JIM) with support from JIM Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. A total of 369 individuals were screened during the operation.
Sinar Harian cited Pahang Immigration director Nursafariza Ihsan confirming that the detainees included 81 Thai nationals, 12 from Bangladesh, four from Laos, and one each from Yemen and China. Among them were also 14 male foreign workers employed at the establishments.
“All foreign nationals detained will be taken to the Kemayan Immigration Detention Depot in Bera for further action,” she said.
Nursafariza explained that many of those detained were found to be misusing their work permits, which were originally issued for employment in the construction and cleaning sectors.
“Most of them held valid permits for sectors unrelated to entertainment, yet were found working as GROs or servers in these venues,” she said.
Authorities will also summon the owners and supervisors of the six entertainment outlets involved for further investigation.
“We have identified entertainment business operators who remain undeterred by previous enforcement actions and continue to commit the same offences,” she noted.
“The number of foreign workers detained in this raid is significant, suggesting that the operators are unafraid of facing legal consequences.”
All those detained are being investigated under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 and Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. - June 15, 2025
