Malaysian authorities rescue 40 Indonesian women from human trafficking syndicate in Petaling Jaya raids, arresting four suspects.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department rescued 40 Indonesian women believed to be victims of a human trafficking syndicate during raids in Petaling Jaya.
Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban confirmed the department arrested four individuals including the syndicate mastermind operating behind a foreign worker agency.
Authorities detained a local woman and three Indonesians aged between 28 and 50 during the operation.
The rescued victims aged 21 to 51 had been in Malaysia for periods ranging from one to seven years.
Immigration officials seized 12 Indonesian passports belonging to victims and other foreigners previously involved with the syndicate.
Initial investigations revealed the syndicate deceived victims with false job offers promising legal work permits and high salaries.
Victims were housed in syndicate-controlled locations with restricted movement and confiscated passports.
They were forced to work as daily house maids or cleaners without proper legal working permits.
None of the victims received the salaries originally promised by the syndicate.
Some victims possessed work permits issued under different employers but never worked for them.
The case is being investigated under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. – Bernama
