State immigration director Meor Hezbullah Meor Abd Malik said the arrests were made following checks on 82 individuals under the department’s Op Gegar, carried out between 11pm and 2am.

“The 39 foreigners detained are from Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and China, and they are between 25 and 35 years old.

“The raids at the two karaoke centres and two massage parlours were prompted by complaints and surveillance related to GRO activities,” he told a press conference.

He noted that the premises had been raided last year and had repeatedly committed offences, therefore the department would escalate the matter to the local authorities.

“After checking, we found that the entertainment centres still have valid licences. However, we will conduct a review with the local authorities to ascertain if these establishments comply with the stipulated operational requirements,” he said.

Meor Hezbullah said all foreign nationals were taken to the detention depot in Ipoh for further investigation under Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

Investigations are also being conducted under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, and the Passports Act 1966.