KUALA LUMPUR: Several women, believed to be massage workers, attempted to escape, with some hiding under mattresses and staircases, when they realised their accommodation was being raided by officers from the Selangor Immigration Department.
However, they were subsequently apprehended.
Local Malay daily Sinar Harian reported that the operation, titled 'Op Gegar', 'Op Sapu' and 'Op Selera' targeted five locations, including massage parlours and restaurants.
Selangor Immigration Department director Khairrul Aminus Kamaruddin said the raids on Tuesday were carried out after receiving public tips and two weeks of intelligence gathering.
The five-hour operation led to the arrest of 38 undocumented migrants, including 16 women.
Those arrested were 11 Thai nationals, eight Indians, five Bangladeshis, five Vietnamese, three Indonesians, three Myanmar nationals, and one each from China, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
All of them, aged between 17 and 45, were detained under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1953/63 and Section 15(1)(c) of the same Act.
In addition to the arrests, five summonses were issued to witnesses to assist with the investigation.
According to the news report, the officers had to break down the door of a workers' hostel after the occupants refused to cooperate.
Some tried to escape but were caught as the area was surrounded, with a few found hiding under mattresses and staircases.
A local man, believed to be the owner of the massage center, was also arrested for further investigation.