JOHOR BARU, March 17 -- The Johor Immigration Department has arrested 44 foreigners during a raid at an entertainment centre in Iskandar Puteri last weekend.

The raid, part of an Immigration Department operation called "Ops Gegar", targeted foreign women who acted as stage entertainers that are popular in nightspots here.

Johor Immigration director Baharuddin Tahir said the raid, initiated from public tip-offs, took place on last Friday at 12.10am.

He said the department was made aware that there have been cases of foreign women involved with immoral activities and were illegally working in the country without proper documentation or permits.

"A total of 42 foreign women, who worked as 'flower girls', were arrested. The raid included ...