JKM officers counselling a youth working at the KTV
National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) preparing the items for urine test
TWO underaged girls working at a karaoke outlet in a mall were nabbed during an anti-vice raid in Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur.
The operation, headed by the Federal Territories Ministry, involved 357 officers and representatives from 18 government agencies and NGOs.
The team raided the KTV outlet as well as two nightclubs during the operation.
According to an officer from the National Welfare Department (JKM), the girls, aged 19 and 20, were not allowed to work in the entertainment outlet.
“Those below the age of 21 are not allowed to enter these premises, let alone work here.
“All we can do is provide counselling on the spot and alert the parents,” the JKM officer said.
One of the youths, who is from Parit, Perak, said money was the main reason she worked here.
“I worked in Alamanda shopping centre in Putrajaya previously but I can earn double the income here.
“Every month, I can get about RM3,000,” she said.
During the raid on the three premises, 34 individuals, aged 13 to 50, tested positive for drugs.
An officer leading the handcuffed guest relations officers out of the plaza
Thirty-two were believed to have taken methamphetamine while the rest tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which is found in marijuana.
Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department officers accompanying the raid had checked the premises for close proximity (khalwat) and other activities against the religion.
Customers and workers were made to do breathalyser tests for alcohol consumption as well as urine tests for drugs.
Federal Territories Ministry deputy secretary-general (management and socioeconomic) Datuk Nor’ Aini Abdul Wahab said some of the entertainment outlets did not possess valid licences.
“Some of the premises have the entertainment licence but some of the activities conducted inside the premises were against the law such as having electronic machines and pool tables.
“Other premises do not have the operating licence at all but remain in operation for years.
“We also found that about 90% of the customers and workers in the KTV outlet were local,” she said at the site.
Nor’ Aini also said the operation would continue with more support from various NGOs
“Increased participation from NGO means they are aware of the seriousness of the issue.
“In these operations, we are also focusing on raising awareness because the problem will still persist if we only focus on punishing the offenders,” she said.
Also present was Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia president Datuk Nadzim Johan.
The night club without a valid licence was fined a maximum amount of RM50,000 under the Entertainment Act 1992 (WPKL).
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