BATU PAHAT: Two nightclubs in Yong Peng and a reflexology centre in Kluang were raided early today for employing illegal immigrants as workers.
In the three separate operations, the Johor Immigration Department rounded up 44 foreign women from China, Vietnam and Thailand aged between 15 and 35, employed as guest relations officers (GROs) at the three premises.
Johor Immigration Department enforcement chief Masri Adul said two Malaysian men aged 25 and 29, believed to be the outlets' operators, were arrested to facilitate investigation.
Masri said the two suspects are being investigated for hiring illegal immigrants as sex workers while the 44 foreign women will be investigated for overstaying and abusing their social visit passes.
"We believe the women were brought here to work in the flesh trade," said Masri adding that those detained are being held at the department's Setia Tropika headquarters pending investigation.