KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- It appears that some operators of illegal entertainment outlets here are thumbing their nose at the authorities. Or, maybe they are just thick-skinned.

One such operator hoped to be lucky, the third time around, when he ran an illegal centre at Taman Kencana in Pandan Perdana.

Despite having been raided twice by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, this centre thumbed its nose at the authorities and continued its 'business operations'.

The management had also refused to pay a compound fine of RM50,000, slapped on the premises by the council.

Last December, the outlet commenced operations. Last night, the music stopped.

About 10pm yesterday, the council's enforcement officers raided the outlet and seized an assortment of furniture, audio system and liquor.

The council's senior enforcement officer, Rosli Jaafar, said that despite being compounded twice, the outlet's operator did not pay the RM50,000 fine.

He said the management claimed to have been operating with a temporary licence but in reality, what it had was merely an application letter for a licence.

"Despite having been raided twice, issued compound fines and warned not to operate illegaly, the operator threw caution to the wind and continued operating," said Rosli when contacted today.

In a follow-up raid at Jalan Bunga Tanjung 11A, Taman Seraya, the council issued a compound notice to a vocal training centre whose management had abused its operating licence.

Instead of coaching children to sing, the management had conducted karaoke sessions at the outlet, said Rosli, adding that enforcement officers also raided an unlicensed internet cafe located below the outlet.

About 20 computer sets were seized from the outlet, he added.