Friday, Nov 09, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR - A karaoke joint in Jalan Imbi here was raided by police again yesterday, the fourth since January for hiring foreign women as guest relation officers at the premises.
The police team from Dang Wangi headquarters led by Inspector Nasir Ismail detained 60 GROs, mostly Vietnamese, for violating Immigration laws in the 9.20pm raid last night.
The women were also suspected to be involved in prostitution based on initial investigation.
It is understood that the customers could take the GROs of their choice out for the night if the price is right.
The price varied from RM200 (S$80) to RM300 per night.
Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Zainuddin Ahmad said the latest raid came after a similar raid by Federal police two weeks ago.
In the previous raid, 79 foreigners were picked up for the same offence.
"Despite being raided many times for the same offence, the owner continued to break the law by hiring foreigners who were here on social visit passes as GROs," said Zainuddin.
He said police also detained the outlet owner, a 60-year-old local woman, to facilitate investigation.
He said Dang Wangi police will suggest to the City Hall to revoke the joint's entertainment licence for repeat offences.
It is understood that some of the women tried to escape arrest by hiding in the ceiling.
Some even tried to hide inside the secret compartment of the sofa in the private karaoke room to avoid detection.
"Two of the foreign were found curling inside the sofa while three were found cramming themselves up in the ceiling of the toilet on the second floor in the two-hour raid" said Zainuddin.
He said out of 60 picked up yesterday, 50 were Vietnamese, nine from China and one Cambodian.
