Illegal entertainment centre for Myanmar nationals raided, 92 detained

NILAI - Authorities raided three illegally converted storehouse entertainment premises in Taman Semarak here, detaining 65 men and 27 women, all Myanmar nationals.

The operation, involving 72 officers and police personnel from the Negeri Sembilan state police and the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) was conducted based on a public complaint regarding the existence of an illegal entertainment centre for foreign nationals at the location.

Negeri Sembilan Police Chief Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof said that 39 of the detainees were found to have violated various immigration offences and were handed over to JIM, while the rest were taken to the Nilai district police headquarters.

"It is understood that the entrance to each premise was equipped with a password, and only identified customers were allowed entry.

"Closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) were also installed in the premises, and the songs in the entertainment centre were played in their native language.

"Customers were charged a fee of RM30 for one hour, and alcoholic beverages were served," Yussof said.

Yussof said that the premises had been operating for the past eight months and had been raided before, but those involved were still conducting entertainment businesses without a valid licence.

"They were also found to be operating until 6am, in addition to public complaints that also reported prostitution activities involving foreigners.

"However, the inspection did not find any evidence of such activities," he said.

Yussof added that the foreigners handed over to JIM were found to have violated regulations under Section 39(b) and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

"They were also detained for investigation under Section 6(1) of the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment 1988 for operating without permission, and investigations are also being carried out under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967," he said.