JOHOR BARU: A total of nine Vietnamese women were arrested by the Johor Immigration Department during an operation in two different premises in the city centre, here.

Johor Immigration director Baharuddin Tahir said the operation was conducted at two massage centres at 4pm on Monday (Jan 1).

"The operation was conducted based on public reports regarding immoral activities at the premises. An investigation revealed that there were nine foreign women working as masseuses at the place.

"Further checks revealed that the women have violated their social visit pass (PLS) and temporary visit pass (PLKS) and have overstayed in the country," he said in a statement here.

The department has also arrested a man who is believed to be the premises owner, he added.

All those arrested were between the ages of 22 and 38. The department had also confiscated six Vietnamese passports, three massaging items, and a log book for visitors.

Baharuddin said that the case was being investigated under Section 6(1) and Section 15(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963, and Rule 11(7)(a) and Rule 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.

"The premise owner is being investigated under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for harbouring illegal immigrants," he added.