Police free 138 victims from forced labour in nationwide raids, arresting 67 suspects across multiple sectors including plantations and manufacturing.
KUALA LUMPUR: Police rescued 138 human trafficking victims in a nationwide operation yesterday.
The victims, aged between 12 and 51, included 58 men, 23 women, 39 boys and 18 girls, one of whom is a boy with disabilities.
They comprised eight Malaysians and nationals from Myanmar (75), Indonesia (34), Bangladesh (13) and the Philippines (eight).
The raids targeted labour exploitation in the oil palm plantation, rubber glove manufacturing, and services sectors.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said the operation was guided by the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators 2.0.
Of the 77 raids conducted, 41 were in the services and business sector, 19 in plantations, 12 in manufacturing and five in other sectors.
Indicators of forced labour identified included deception, confinement, withholding of wages and poor living conditions.
Police also arrested 67 individuals, comprising 42 locals and 25 foreigners aged between 30 and 69.
They are believed to be the employers and supervisors of the victims.
All detainees are being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and the Immigration Act.
Kumar stressed that police would not compromise with any party involved in human trafficking.
He urged the public to channel related information to the nearest police station.
