Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa, in a statement today, said those nabbed were aged between 23 and 57.

The four-hour operation, which began at 2am, involved 254 personnel from the police, immigration department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the federal territories Islamic religious department (Jawi).

“The operation was aimed at eradicating prostitution activities at entertainment centres.

“Kuala Lumpur police take a serious view of the issue and will take strict action against parties or premises that violate regulations or conditions to eradicate this immoral activity,” he said.

Rusdi said police detained 41 people, including 23 men and 12 foreign women for various offences, including those related to prostitution, under Section 373B of the Penal Code and Section 4(1) of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Entertainment Act, as well as offences under the Immigration Act.

Meanwhile, the immigration department arrested 36 people for various offences, including violating the conditions of their issued passes or permits, using fake permits and employing foreign workers without valid travel documents.

Jawi detained 33 people for offences such as behaving indecently in public and consuming intoxicating drinks under the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997.

Rusdi said DBKL also issued eight notices for various offences and closed several premises under the Hotels (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) Act 2003.