04-08-2025
Maids by day, hostesses by night — immigration arrests 12 foreign women in raid
BUKIT MERTAJAM: An immigration raid on an entertainment outlet here early this morning uncovered a growing trend among foreign workers, with several women found to be juggling dual roles — working as domestic helpers or factory workers by day and illegally moonlighting in the entertainment sector by night.
The operation, conducted by the Immigration Department at 1.30am, resulted in the arrest of 12 foreign women at the premises.
The 12 included three Indonesians, seven Thai nationals, and two Vietnamese women.
Immigration Department Enforcement Department director Basri Othman said the raid was initiated based on public complaints and intelligence gathered in recent weeks.
"Our initial checks showed that all 12 women were in breach of immigration regulations, specifically under Regulation 39(b) for violating the terms of their passes.
"None of them held valid documentation for work in the entertainment industry," he told newsmen on site.
Basri said officers discovered that at least one of the women held a valid permit to work as a domestic maid.
"She was likely employed in a household during the day and worked illegally in the entertainment centre at night.
"Some were reportedly employed in factories or cleaning services during the day before switching to night shifts in the entertainment venue," he added.
Basri said the women were reportedly in the middle of entertaining customers when enforcement officers surrounded and secured the premises.
"Investigations suggest that they have been operating under this dual-employment arrangement for approximately six months, earning an estimated RM150 to RM250 per hour during their night shifts," he said.
All the women have been taken to the Seberang Jaya Immigration office for further questioning and will later be held at the Jawi Immigration Detention Centre pending legal procedures.
