Police arrested 11 women suspected of engaging in prostitution during an early-morning operation at several hotspot areas around Bukit Bintang yesterday.
In a statement, the Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department said the raid was carried out from about 2am by officers from the D7 Division (secret societies, gambling and vice) with assistance from the Immigration Department.
Following two weeks of intelligence gathering, investigators found that the women had entered Malaysia as tourists and were nationals of Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria.
“They were offering sexual services at an estimated rate of RM200, targeting customers who frequented entertainment areas around Bukit Bintang,” the statement said. Cases like this continue to draw attention to vice activities operating openly in busy city centres despite enforcement efforts.
Investigations revealed that most of the women had been operating for about a month, soliciting customers along pavements and public areas in the vicinity. If a customer agreed, the activities would take place at nearby budget hotels or other locations chosen by the client.
Police said further checks showed the activities were not linked to any organised syndicate, with the women believed to be operating independently. Preliminary findings also indicated that those detained had entered the country on social visit passes before turning to the activity as a source of income.
All 11 women, aged between their 20s and 30s, were detained to assist investigations under Section 372 of the Penal Code and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Condoms believed to have been used for the activities were also seized during the operation.
