Latest news with #Zakaria
Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Vada Pav will now be Vada Pak in Pakistan
'The Indians', Zakaria said, 'consider the renaming of sundry things to be historically, legally and genetically an exclusive Indian foible.' He added, 'We'll hit where it hurts them most: we'll hit back at renamings with renamings.'
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Migrant smugling syndicate dismantled, alleged leader nabbed in Johor raids
JOHOR BARU: Malaysian authorities dismantled a cross-border migrant smuggling syndicate in a major night-time operation, arresting its suspected leader — a 38-year-old Indonesian man known as "Dedi," a senior immigration official said. He was among 11 individuals detained during a series of coordinated night-time raids across Kukup, Skudai, and Batu Pahat on May 27. The suspects were aged between 25 and 47. The syndicate, believed to have been operating for at least six months, was smuggling undocumented Indonesians in and out of Johor using sea routes. Backed by anti-trafficking and anti-money laundering units, immigration officers seized key evidence including passports, cash, mobile phones, a multi-purpose vehicle, and a boat — effectively crippling the group's operations. A three-week intelligence-led operation culminated in the successful dismantling of the syndicate. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the syndicate had been active for at least six months and charged each migrant RM2,100 for transport into or out of Malaysia by boat. "Our officers also detained five Indonesian men and one woman, most of whom had no valid travel documents, while one was found to have overstayed," he said in a statement today. These suspects were among the 11 arrested during the operation. Investigations revealed that migrants were temporarily housed in a hotel, believed used as a holding location to avoid suspicion before they were transported by sea between Indonesia and Johor, Zakaria said. Five suspects — three Indonesian men and two Malaysian women — are being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007, while the remaining Indonesians face charges under Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. All detainees were taken to the Immigration Department's depot in Setia Tropika for further action. Zakaria said the department will intensify efforts to clamp down on migrant smuggling operations to protect the country's border sovereignty.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Immigration busts two salons secretly offering sex services
KUALA LUMPUR: Two salons in Jalan Kuchai Lama and Bandar Sri Petaling here, which were secretly offering sex services under the guise of hair and facial treatments, were busted following a raid by the Immigration Department yesterday. The syndicate is believed to have used the WeChat application to promote its services, providing clients with a catalogue of foreign women to choose from before making a booking. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the 6pm operation involved checks on 59 individuals, comprising three foreign men, 45 foreign women and 11 locals. "Three foreign men and 45 foreign women, aged between 23 and 35, from Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Laos were detained for various offences. "Three local men, believed to be caretakers, were also arrested. Intelligence gathered over a two-week period revealed that these premises have been operating for the past two years," he said in a statement today. Zakaria said the premises operated by advertising men's hair and facial grooming packages while discreetly offering sexual services as part of the package. "Subscription fees ranged from RM150 to RM250 depending on the type of service requested by the customer. The outlets operated from 3pm to 2am daily. "All the foreign women lived at the premises, which were equipped with dormitory-style bedrooms. The illegal operation was believed to generate profits of RM1,000 to RM1,500 per day," he said. During the raid, several foreign women were found entertaining customers, comprising locals and tourists. Offences identified included lack of identification documents, overstaying, permit abuse and other violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, and Immigration Regulations 1963. "All detainees have been placed at the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot for further investigation and action," he added.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Grooming centre used as prostitution den busted
PETALING JAYA: A prostitution syndicate operating under the guise of men's grooming services was dismantled following two coordinated raids by the Immigration Department in Kuchai Lama and Bandar Sri Petaling on May 26. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said a total of 59 individuals were inspected during the operation, including three men, 45 foreign women and 11 local citizens. The raids, which began at 6pm, were conducted by 38 enforcement officers from the Putrajaya Immigration Enforcement Division after two weeks of surveillance. The department found that the foreign women, who had been operating in the area for the past two years, earned up to RM1,500 per day by providing sexual services to both local and foreign male clients. 'Three foreign men and 45 foreign women from Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Laos, aged between 23 and 35, were detained for various offences. Also detained were three local men suspected of acting as 'guardians',' he said in a statement issued Tuesday night. The detainees are being investigated for offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966 and the Immigration Regulations 1963. They are currently being held at the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot pending further action. Zakaria revealed that the syndicate's modus operandi involved promoting grooming and facial treatment services for men while discreetly offering sexual services as part of the packages. Customers would book appointments via the WeChat messaging app, through which they were also provided with a catalogue of available foreign women. Each session reportedly cost between RM150 and RM250, depending on the type of service selected. 'The premises operated daily from 3pm to 2am. All the foreign women involved in the illegal activities were housed on-site, where dormitory-style rooms had been set up to accommodate them.' During the raids, investigators caught several of the women serving customers.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Immigration busts sex syndicate in grooming centres
PETALING JAYA: A prostitution syndicate operating under the guise of men's grooming services was dismantled following two coordinated raids by the Immigration Department in Kuchai Lama and Bandar Sri Petaling on May 26. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said a total of 59 individuals were inspected during the operation, including three men, 45 foreign women and 11 local citizens. The raids, which began at 6pm, were conducted by 38 enforcement officers from the Putrajaya Immigration Enforcement Division after two weeks of surveillance. The department found that the foreign women, who had been operating in the area for the past two years, earned up to RM1,500 per day by providing sexual services to both local and foreign male clients. 'Three foreign men and 45 foreign women from Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Laos, aged between 23 and 35, were detained for various offences. Also detained were three local men suspected of acting as 'guardians',' he said in a statement issued Tuesday night. The detainees are being investigated for offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966 and the Immigration Regulations 1963. They are currently being held at the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot pending further action. Zakaria revealed that the syndicate's modus operandi involved promoting grooming and facial treatment services for men while discreetly offering sexual services as part of the packages. Customers would book appointments via the WeChat messaging app, through which they were also provided with a catalogue of available foreign women. Each session reportedly cost between RM150 and RM250, depending on the type of service selected. 'The premises operated daily from 3pm to 2am. All the foreign women involved in the illegal activities were housed on-site, where dormitory-style rooms had been set up to accommodate them.' During the raids, investigators caught several of the women serving customers.
