JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: Fifty-eight foreign women were picked up in raids at two karaoke outlets in Taman Sentosa here.

The women, aged between 19 and 33, are believed to be involved in vice activities. Police also rounded up nearly 100 men for documentation early yesterday.

Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Johor anti-vice, gaming and secret society division deputy chief Deputy Supt Tan Hiap Seng raided a karaoke nightclub after midnight and 35 Thai women and an Indonesian were picked up.

"We suspected immoral activity was going on because some of the rooms have mattresses in them," state CID chief Senior Asst Comm Amer Awal said.

He said another team led by Supt Maszely Minhad from Bukit Aman raided a nearby nightclub and detained 14 Thai women, six Filipinos and two Indonesians.

He said there were secret passages leading to various hideouts at both premises.