Cops smash vice ring catering to restaurant patrons

CONVENIENT SETTING: The restaurants and the flats where the women ply their trade are located near each other on a stretch of road — Pic: Arif Kartono

KUALA LUMPUR: Police believe they have busted a prostitution ring, known for offering women from China to patrons at restaurants along Jalan Pudu since last year, following the arrest of two Pakistani men last week.

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said several raids were conducted last year following complaints by residents and business owners along the stretch but the syndicate seemed to have made a comeback months later.

He said police finally got their break on April 8 and stormed a flat unit in Jalan Cheras where they rounded up five women and the two Pakistani men.

“This year alone, from January to April 15, we have conducted six raids around the area and detained 16 women from China and two men believed to be the masterminds behind the syndicate,” he said.

Zulkarnain said police hoped the syndicate would be crippled for good with the duo’s arrest.

“However, we will continue to monitor the area from time to time and be in close contact with the residents who have channelled us with various useful information on the syndicate,” he said.

Initial investigations revealed the syndicate, which started operation since last year, would go around from one Chinese restaurant to another along Jalan Pudu after midnight, offering the women to male patrons.

Those who agreed would later be led to a nearby low cost flat.

Police believed the restaurants along Jalan Pudu were chosen as many operated round the clock and are favourite drinking spots.

It was reported last year that police and Immigration Department have conducted numerous raids around the area and arrested 21 women from China.

On June 16, City police’s Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division arrested five women along Jalan Pudu following a tipoff.

Just six days later, the Immigration Department, headed by deputy assistant director 1 (Enforcement) Amdan Yahaya moved in on the syndicate and nabbed another 16 women.

The syndicate members were known to be elusive and would go into hiding once realising their activities have been discovered.

It was reported that the department took three hours to round up the women who had all gone into hiding in numerous spots at the nearby flats.