Timur Laut district police chief Soffian Santong said police conducted seven raids from 6pm to 10pm on several premises, such as budget hotels, guesthouses and apartments, suspected of engaging in prostitution activities.

“During the raids, police detained eight foreign women aged 25 to 47, believed to be involved in prostitution activities,” he said in a statement, adding that one of the women claimed to be a civil servant from a neighbouring country.

“Following their arrest, the police also seized equipment and RM2,200 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of these activities.”

He said initial investigation found that all women entered the country using social visit passes but some of them had expired passes.

Soffian said that based on the investigation, it was also found that they were looking for customers using the WeChat application and charging between RM150 and RM250 for services.

“Our investigation found that one of the women admitted that she was a civil servant in a neighbouring country and claimed to have come to this country to carry out prostitution activities to earn extra income.

He said the police are conducting further investigations including obtaining confirmation from the consulate of that country.

All eight women have been remanded and will be investigated under Section 372B of the Penal Code, Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39B of the Immigration Regulations 1959.