KUALA LUMPUR: In a raid on 38 beauty, health and massage outlets in the city last week, 87 foreigners, suspected of working illegally as guest relation officers (GROs); 49 men and women suspected to be on drugs; and two suspected informants were detained.

Federal Territories Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikhsan, who was present during the raid, said the operation (Op Bah) involved about 400 personnel, including those from other government departments and agencies such as Malaysian National Security Council, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Immigration Department, National Anti-Drug Agency, Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department, Malaysian Civil Defence Department, National Water Services Industry, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, Energy Commission, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

“The raid in the Platinum Walk area in Wangsa Maju, and Sri Hartamas, is the sixth Op Bah this year carried out based on tip-offs from the public and community leaders who act as the eyes and ears of the authorities.

“We appreciate information and hope more will come forward to alert us so that we can take action,” said Adnan.

Commenting on previous raids, Adnan said RM5.4 million worth of items, including computers, modems, televisions and gambling machines, were confiscated in the five earlier raids here; and RM1 million worth of items were confiscated from cybercafes which offered illegal gambling in the Labuan Federal Territory in three raids.

“Apart from the confiscation of items, the local authorities also tore down illegal extensions and partitions in the premises.

“About half of the outlets raided remained closed after the operations which showed that our efforts have had an impact.

“The ministry, in collaboration with other government departments and agencies, will continue with such operations to curb vice in the city.

“We will also collaborate with Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) to hunt down illegal online gambling syndicates,” said Adnan.

Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan, who commended the authorities for their efforts, said he believed that illegal activities would be reduced significantly if such raids continued.

Representatives of PPIM and Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation Alumni Association of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) were present as observers.

Credit : http://www.nst.com.my/node/57959