Latest news with #WanMohammedSaupeeWanYusoff
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
RM2,000 fine: Authorities crack down on unlicensed KLCC photo touts
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Authorities fined nearly 30 photo touts in the vicinity of KLCC RM2,000 each last night for operating without valid permits. The operation was launched following complaints from the public and a recent viral incident involving one of the photographers and a foreign tourist, the New Straits Times reported. Officers from the Royal Malaysia Police, Immigration Department, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall conducted the joint enforcement action. The fines were issued under By-law 3(1) of the Federal Territory Hawkers Licensing By-Laws 2016, which regulates street-based commercial activities. The photographers are known for offering smartphone photography services to tourists, often capturing images with the Petronas Twin Towers in the background. One affected photographer, speaking anonymously, said this was their first time being fined and expressed concern about sustaining their livelihood. He said enforcement officers had hinted at the possibility of introducing a permit system to regulate their work in future. Kuala Lumpur Immigration Director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff was present during the operation, which proceeded without serious incident despite some resistance. Authorities have frowned on the touting, with Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa urging members of the public not to patronise or feel pressured into using their services.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
KLCC street photographers fined RM2,000 each
KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 30 freelance street photographers offering on-the-spot photo services to locals and tourists at KLCC were issued compound notices on Sunday night, each hit with a stiff fine of RM2,000 for operating without a valid permit. Authorities said the photographers were operating without valid permits in a public space. The action was taken following growing complaints and a recent misunderstanding involving some of the individuals, which went viral on social media, Harian Metro reported. The operation, involving personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Immigration Department (JIM), and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), saw nearly 30 individuals compounded under By-law 3(1) of the Federal Territory Hawkers Licensing By-Laws 2016. These freelance photographers are known for offering smartphone photography services at busy tourist spots, particularly around the KLCC area, often taking pictures of visitors with the Petronas Twin Towers and other landmarks in the background. One of the photographers, who declined to be named, said this was the first time they had received a fine for offering such services. "The notice says RM2,000. That's a lot. If this keeps happening, I'll have to find another job," he said, adding that enforcement officers had mentioned the possibility of a future permit system. He also addressed the recent viral incident, saying it stemmed from a language barrier between a photographer and a foreign tourist. "I wasn't there, but from what I heard, it was just a misunderstanding. Now, we're all affected by it," he said. Despite some resistance during the operation, officers were able to manage the situation professionally, and no serious incidents were reported. Kuala Lumpur Immigration Director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff was present during the operation. Authorities are reportedly looking into formal licensing mechanisms to regulate freelance photography services in public areas.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Barnama
Local 'madam' Among 93 Detained In KL Immigration Raid On Nightspot, Dorm
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- A local 'madam' touted as a 'mak ayam' (pimp) was among 93 individuals detained in two raids on an entertainment centre on Jalan Kuchai Lama and a shophouse on Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1 here. Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department (JIM) director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said the entertainment centre offered RM3,000 necklace garlands to entice foreign GROs for stage shows at the nightspot. In the first raid at 11.45 pm yesterday, the individuals detained included the local woman manager, three Thai and Vietnamese women, four Taiwanese women, five Bangladeshi men, and three men and a woman from China. 'All foreigners were detained under Section 6(1)c (no work permit) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39B (misuse of social visit pass) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 while local citizens were detained under Section 56(1)(d) (for harbouring illegal immigrants) of the Immigration Act 1959/63,' he told reporters at the location of the second raid here. Wan Mohammed Saupee also said the remaining 72 individuals were detained at a shophouse said to be illegally rented out to undocumented migrants at RM500 per room. 'Most of those detained were Indonesians with 28 men and 26 women, followed by 11 Bangladeshi men, two Myanmar nationals, two Indians, two Pakistanis and one Nepalese man. All were arrested under Section 15 (1) c (for overstaying) and Section 6 (1) c (no visit pass) of the Immigration Act 1959/63," he said. He reminded all undocumented migrants to participate in the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0, which has been extended until April 30 next year, specifically for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan. He said immigration checks will ensure Kuala Lumpur remains a safe and tranquil capital. "Based on operational statistics, the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department will conduct raids every two weeks, especially in the Chow Kit area, which is identified as a hotspot with many undocumented foreigners working illegally here," he said.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Six GROs among 20 nabbed in anti-vice raid at KL nightclub
KUALA LUMPUR: Six women, believed to be guest relation officers (GROs) were among 20 individuals detained following a raid at a nightclub in Kuchai Lama. It is learnt that the GROs raked in thousands of ringgit from their "clients". Kuala Lumpur Immigration director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said a search of the premises uncovered flower garlands priced between RM100 and RM2,000. 'Six women believed to be working as GROs were detained - three Thai nationals and three Vietnamese. "We also detained four Taiwanese men, five Bangladeshi men, and a man from China. 'A Malaysian woman, suspected to be the club's manager, was also detained,' he told reporters at the raid location on Friday (July 25). The foreign nationals were detained under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, he said. "The local suspects will be investigated under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for allegedly harbouring undocumented migrants.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Nightclub raid uncovers foreign GROs earning thousands in tips
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign nightclub guest relations officers (GROs) in Kuchai Lama were found earning thousands in tips before immigration officers raided the premises, detaining 20 people. The revelation came from a local woman in her 50s, believed to be the person in charge of the establishment. The woman was among 20 individuals detained during an Ops Gegar raid by the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department yesterday. Kuala Lumpur Immigration Director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said a search of the premises uncovered garlands with tip values ranging from RM100 to RM2,000. "Six women believed to be working as GROs were detained — three Thai nationals and three Vietnamese. Also arrested were four Taiwanese men, five Bangladeshi men, and one Chinese man. "One Malaysian woman, suspected to be the club's manager, was also detained," he told reporters at the raid location today. According to him, the foreign nationals were detained under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963. He added that the local suspects will be investigated under Section 56(1)(d) of the same Act for allegedly harbouring undocumented migrants.
