Immigration Department Detains 52 Foreign Workers in Johor Bahru Operation

Strategic Insights -

The Immigration Department, led by Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, conducted a special operation at three massage and reflexology centers in Johor Bahru, detaining 52 foreign workers without valid documents. Among those detained were 43 foreign women and 9 foreign men, with 32 of the women being from Thailand, 8 from China, and 5 from Myanmar. The operation involved 47 enforcement personnel and was carried out in response to tip-offs and intelligence gathered. The detainees are believed to have worked as masseurs and are being held at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot, with charges ranging from RM92 to RM180 for the massage services and up to RM300 for the sauna room package.

Key Takeaways:

  • 52 foreign workers were detained during the operation, including 43 women and 9 men.
  • The women detained were from Thailand (32), China (8), and Myanmar (5), while the men were from Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and China.
  • The individuals detained are believed to have worked as masseurs without valid documents.
  • The Immigration Department, led by Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, conducted the operation with 47 personnel from Putrajaya and Johor.
  • The operation was carried out following tip-offs and intelligence gathered.
  • The detainees are being held at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot and face charges under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
  • 15 Immigration Form 29 (Witness Summons) were also issued during the operation.
  • The charges for the massage services range from RM92 to RM180, while the sauna room package is priced at up to RM300.

Statistics:

  • 52 foreign workers were detained during the operation.
  • 43 foreign women and 9 foreign men were detained.
  • 32 women were from Thailand.
  • 8 women were from China.
  • 5 women were from Myanmar.
  • The charges for the massage services range from RM92 to RM180.
  • The sauna room package is priced at up to RM300.

Sources:

  • BERNAMA News Agency, 18 Sep 2025.