Some Sabahans are questioning the double standards of the health and immigration departments in allowing foreign masseuses into the state, when they are likely to be sex workers.

The Association of Malaysian Spas (Amspa) has submitted a memorandum on massage parlours, reflexology centres, spas, health and wellness centres to the federal government.

In Sabah, the health and wellness industry is seeing growth. However, local women complain of foreign masseuses entering the sector, allegedly using this as a cover for vice activities.

In Peninsular Malaysia, they are not allowed in without a support letter from the health department.

It claimed that even genuine health and wellness establishments in the peninsula are closing down due to restrictions on foreign labour.

melanie chia sapp sabah wanita 180509 In providing input for the memorandum, Luyang state assemblyperson Melanie Chia said Sabah must have the same policy as Peninsular Malaysia to “avoid hanky-panky”.

 

Only those certified, whether locals or foreigners, should be allowed to work at spas or wellness centres, she said.

“Vice activities must not be allowed to take place behind the façade of massage and reflexology services or spa activities.”

Chia alleged that workers from the Philippines and China have inundated the centres and that sex workers from the two countries are entering Sabah on a visit or agricultural labour pass to work in massage parlours and the like.

She suggested that regulation and proper certification be implemented to ensure that only trained and certified workers are employed at such centres.

Sabah Women’s Advisory Council chair Asnimar Sukardi claimed it is common knowledge that Filipina masseuses often operate on social visit passes.

sabah “But no action is being taken against them by the authorities although they have clearly flouted the law,” she alleged.

Former senator Christine Tibok-Vanhouten blames the influx of foreign sex workers on the tendency of the enforcement authorities to “shut one eye”.

“The many Filipina (sex workers) in Sabah are being brought in by syndicates,” she claimed.

Absence of uniform policy

Jaafar Lassa, the branch head (policy and progress) of the Health Ministry’s traditional and complementary medicine division, confirmed that there is no uniform policy nationwide on massage parlours, reflexology centres, spas, health and wellness centres.

The spa industry falls under the purview of the Health Ministry, but the Home Ministry has jurisdiction over work permits and visas for foreign workers.

ng yen yen jean todt 26062009 01 Amspa head Ramona Suleiman said the memorandum on foreign masseuses would be submitted to Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen (left) .

This is because the wellness sector is an integral part of the travel and hospitality sector, and is potentially worth billions as as “the next economic wave”.

“(Human resources in the peninsula) is a big problem. In fact, 80 percent of the workers in spas throughout Malaysia are foreigners,” said Ramona, adding that the profession includes spa managers, physiotherapists and dieticians.

While the trade in Sabah needs to be cleaned up, the association said it does not want the authorities to hamper genuine operators throughout the country.