Malaysia detains masseuses from China offering ‘extra services’

Malaysian immigration officers conducted coordinated raids on two massage parlors in Johor, resulting in the detention of 21 foreign nationals and a local man believed to be the manager. The operation, which began around 3 p.m. on a Thursday, targeted establishments that publicly advertised legitimate massage services starting at 80 Malaysian ringgit (approximately US$20) per hour. However, authorities alleged the businesses were fronts for 'immoral activities,' specifically the provision of sexual services, which were negotiated privately and for additional payment between customers and workers inside the treatment rooms. Johor immigration director Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus stated the workers, comprising men and women from Myanmar and China aged 18 to 41, were also suspected of working without valid travel or employment documents.

The detainees are being held on suspicion of various offences under Malaysia's Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963. A key aspect of the alleged operation was that customers were not permitted to select their masseuse beforehand; any arrangements for 'extra services' occurred only after the session began in private rooms. The raids highlight ongoing enforcement actions against establishments suspected of violating immigration and vice laws under the guise of legitimate wellness businesses. The case underscores the methods used to conceal illicit activities within regulated service industries.