The entertainment premises of foreigners without a permit were raided

MIRI, 8 Oct: A entertainment venue on Kubu Street, Miri was raided by police after it was believed to hire eight foreign women as Guest Relations Officer (GRO) without a valid work permit.

Miri Regional Police Chief, ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah in a statement today said the inspection found that the premises in question had a valid Business and Entertainment License and were operating within the prescribed period.

The raid, which took place at about 12.05 am on October 4, was carried out by a team of officers and members of the Metropolitan Police Office (IPD) Miri.

Results of the search revealed that the premises employed foreign women as GROs to attract more customers and increase revenue.

In the raid, a 38-year-old local man along with eight foreign women aged between 23 and 43 were arrested after a review found they were suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63.

The local man was arrested on suspicion of hiring foreign workers without a valid work permit, while eight foreign women were arrested on suspicion of abusing the Social Visit Pass.

Local male suspects were detained for two days until 6 October, while eight foreign women in question were detained for 14 days at Miri Traffic Police Headquarters to assist with the investigation.

The case is being investigated under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63 which provides for fines ranging from RM10,000 to RM50,000 or imprisonment up to 12 months or both once for each employee found guilty.

All the foreign women involved were also investigated under Regulation 39 (b) Immigration Regulations 1963 which provided for a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or imprisonment of up to six months or both.

The police urged all entertainment premises entrepreneurs to comply with the licensing requirements set and ensure that recruitment of foreign nationals is made in accordance with the provisions of law.

He also warned that he would not compromise on any violations of the law and will take decisive action against those found guilty.