Nearly 200 Foreigners Detained in KL Nightclub Raid

KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 200 foreigners were detained during an Immigration Department raid on a nightclub in the Pudu area early this morning, where “dugem” music was being played.

According to a post on the department’s official Facebook page, the operation was carried out following public complaints and two weeks of intelligence gathering by the Enforcement Division based in Putrajaya.

“Dugem” is an acronym for “Dunia Gemerlap,” an Indonesian phrase meaning “shining world,” and typically refers to the nightlife scene, particularly discotheques and clubbing. The term is often associated with alcohol consumption and illicit drug use.

The department stated that a total of 129 immigration officers and 11 officers from the National Registration Department were involved in the raid. During the operation, 310 individuals were screened—including 128 foreign men, 116 foreign women, and 66 Malaysian citizens.

Out of these, 185 Indonesians (106 men and 79 women), one Cambodian man and woman, and one Nepalese man, all aged between 21 and 35, were detained for various immigration offenses such as overstaying and not possessing valid travel documents.

“All detainees were taken to the KLIA and Lenggeng Immigration Detention Depots for investigation and further action,” the statement added.

Authorities also issued eight summonses to several individuals, including the nightclub’s supervisor, the premises caretaker, and a female disc jockey (DJ) working at the club.

The nightclub reportedly targeted foreign patrons, especially Indonesians, and operated between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., featuring both local and foreign DJs playing “dugem” music.

“At the time of the raid, many of the foreign patrons were found fully engaged in the music and club activities,” the department said.

All foreign individuals detained were held under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, pending further legal action.