By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 31: Five foreign women were detained during a joint enforcement operation at a premises along Jalan Tun Jugah here yesterday for alleged immigration-related offences.
Kuching District Police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the raid was carried out at about 2.45pm by the D7 branch of the Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in collaboration with the Sarawak Labour Department.
Initial investigations found that the premises was believed to be operating without a valid business licence.
The operation led to the arrest of five foreign women aged between 23 and 38, who were believed to be working as masseuses at the premises.
Checks revealed that two of the women did not possess valid work permits or Temporary Employment Visit Passes (PLKS), while the remaining three failed to produce valid travel documents.
Police also seized two passports, a packet of condoms and RM484 in cash during the operation.
The case is being investigated under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for breaching conditions attached to passes or permits issued by the authorities. Offenders may face fines, imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
The women are also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering or remaining in Malaysia without valid passes. The offence carries a penalty of a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, as well as possible whipping upon conviction.
Alexson said police will continue to intensify enforcement operations against premises employing undocumented foreign workers or those operating in contravention of existing laws.
He stressed that authorities remain committed to ensuring compliance with immigration and business regulations throughout the district. — DayakDaily
