Johor Police Detain 209 Foreign GROs In Raids On 12 Entertainment Outlets
Johor police detained 222 people, including 209 foreign women working as guest relations officers (GROs), during a series of raids on 12 entertainment outlets across the state on Aug. 9.
The operation, conducted under Ops Noda, took place between 2.15am and 9am. Johor police chief Datuk Comm Ab Rahaman Arsad said the women detained were aged between 19 and 40.
Among the 209 foreign nationals were 93 Vietnamese, 87 Thai nationals, 11 Laotians, seven Indonesians, six Myanmar nationals and five Filipinas.
13 Outlet Workers Also Detained
Police also detained 13 people believed to be caretakers or operators of the entertainment outlets.
The group comprised 10 Malaysian men and three foreign men, aged between 20 and 53.
Preliminary urine screening conducted during the operation found that 44 of those detained tested positive for drugs. Police also discovered that seven of the individuals had previous criminal or drug-related cases.
The detained individuals were subsequently remanded as investigations continued.
Immigration And Licensing Offences Investigated
Police are investigating the cases under several laws and regulations, including the Johor Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment 1998.
Investigations are also being conducted under Malaysia’s Immigration Act 1959/63, including provisions relating to individuals who allegedly did not possess valid travel documents or had overstayed their immigration passes.
Authorities are further looking into possible breaches involving the misuse of social visit passes, including cases where individuals may have used such passes for purposes not permitted under immigration regulations.
The outlet caretakers and foreign nationals remain subject to investigation, and the allegations have not been established in court.
Police Warn Entertainment Outlets
Comm Ab Rahaman said Johor police would take firm action against entertainment premises found to have breached their licensing conditions.
This could include the cancellation of licences for outlets found to have violated the relevant rules.
He said the police would continue efforts to address issues affecting public safety and order, while urging members of the public to provide information about suspected criminal activity.
Members of the public with information can contact the Johor police hotline or operations room.
The large-scale operation comes as authorities continue monitoring entertainment venues and foreign workers for potential immigration, licensing and public-order offences.