Kuala lumpur: Police detained 215 foreign women believed to be working as guest relation officers (GROs) in nationwide raids under ‘Op Noda’ carried out last Friday and Saturday. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar revealed that a total of 87 entertainment outlets were inspected, with 66 found operating without valid licenses.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, those arrested included premises owners, workers, customers, and foreign GROs. The detainees comprised 77 Thais, 65 Vietnamese, 35 Indonesians, 28 Myanmar nationals, five Chinese, four Cambodians, and two individuals from Laos. All those detained, aged between 22 and 38, were taken to the respective district police headquarters for documentation and further investigation.

The case is being investigated under several legal provisions, including Section 15(1)(C), Section 6(1)(C), and Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63, Section 76 of the Excise Act 1976, Regulation 39(B) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, as well as state entertainment enactments or ordinances. The authorities emphasized that such operations will continue to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.

The public is encouraged to provide information to assist the authorities in combating these activities, underpinning the ongoing efforts to regulate the entertainment industry and ensure legal operations across the country.