M’sian Authorities Raid Areas Around KLCC & Arrest Foreigners Offering Amateur Photography Services

A lot of Malaysians have been speaking out about how photographers are causing a hassle, especially on busy roads in Kuala Lumpur, by offering to take pictures.

Just yesterday, Dr Zaliha Mustafa also shared her concerns in a post after visiting KLCC, pointing out that amateur photographers are still going about their business, even though KLCC management has set restrictions.

Amateur photographers around KLCC

Harian Metro reported how the Director of Immigration Kuala Lumpur, Wan Mohamed Saupee Wan Yusoff, said that they had received complaints regarding the presence of amateur photographers around KLCC.

He mentioned that the complaints involved foreign nationals or undocumented immigrants (PATI) running a “business” taking pictures in the area.

Following the complaints, several operations, inspections, enforcement actions, and increased presence were carried out around the Twin Towers area.

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Most photographers were locals

In an interview with Harian Metro, Wan Saupee shared that they had discussed the issue with KLCC management and the photographers involved.

“The inspection showed that most of the photographers around KLCC were locals. They had identification cards, and many of them were from Sabah. We made some arrests (of foreign nationals) during enforcement actions at the location in January,” he said.

He also mentioned that some of the foreign nationals arrested were charged in court, fined for misusing their passes, and then sent back to their home countries.

“After those arrests, we noticed that photography activities were mostly being carried out by locals. The Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department (JIM) is now working with local photographers to report any foreign nationals involved in photography,” he added.

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17yo and 20yo photographers were detained

The police received 2 reports about amateur photographers hanging around the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) between January 1 and November 30.

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said,

“The KLCC auxiliary police detained 2 men, aged 17 and 29. 2 investigation papers were opened under Section 447 of the Penal Code for these incidents, and both men have already been charged in court for their actions.”

Rusdi said that the police, through the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters (IPD), conducted an operation around KLCC on November 29.

He also mentioned that during the operation, 29 men (including one from the Philippines) were brought to IPD Dang Wangi for further checks. After the inspection, 5 men with various offences were arrested, while 24 others were let go once their documentation was sorted.

He added that the police will keep an eye on the situation and work with other enforcement agencies to deal with the photographer issue at the Twin Towers.

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: M’sian Shouts at Tourists for Dangerously Blocking KL Road to Take Photos But Gets Ignored