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IMIGRATION authorities have arrested 286 foreign women between January and August this year for suspected involvement in immoral activities, including working as guest relation officers (GROs) and engaging in prostitution at entertainment outlets in Kuala Lumpur.
The arrests were carried out under Ops Gegar, a targeted enforcement operation by the Kuala Lumpur branch of the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM).
Director of JIM Kuala Lumpur Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff, said the department remains firm in taking action against foreigners who violate local laws.
“There are indeed a number of foreign nationals who abuse their entry passes into Malaysia and become involved in immoral activities in the capital,” he said, as quoted by Harian Metro.
“We are consistently proactive in conducting surveillance, patrols and raids to ensure the presence of JIM enforcement is felt throughout the city,” he added.
A total of 32 Ops Gegar raids led to the arrest of 286 foreign women and 94 men from countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Vietnamese nationals accounted for the highest number of female detainees at 53, followed by Myanmar (48), Thailand (46), China (40), Laos (21), Bangladesh (15), the Philippines (9), Mongolia (6), India (2), and one each from Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Nepal, Taiwan, and Uzbekistan.
Wan Mohammed Saupee said areas identified as hotspots for vice activities include **Bukit Bintang, Sri Petaling, Old Klang Road, Jalan Petaling**, and **Setapak**.
He stressed that JIM welcomes tourists and foreign workers who enter the country legally and abide by the rules, but warned of strict action against those who engage in unlawful activities.
“We issue a stern warning to anyone attempting to break the rules. Local citizens are also reminded not to collude with undocumented migrants in any capacity,” he said. - September 10, 2025