Immigration rescues two Indonesian women from forced labour and trafficking in Selangor, arresting local agents and investigating under ATIPSOM Act.
PUTRAJAYA: Two Indonesian women believed to be victims of forced labour and human trafficking were rescued in separate operations in Selangor.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the first raid on January 6 led to the arrest of a 38-year-old local woman acting as an agent.
A 45-year-old Indonesian woman was rescued during a transaction at a food premises.
Initial investigations found the victim held a valid Social Visit Pass but was exploited as a domestic helper.
She was also burdened with a RM3,000 debt for travel costs, to be repaid through monthly salary deductions.
Zakaria said the syndicate’s modus operandi involved offering domestic helper services via WhatsApp.
They charged employers RM8,000 while promising workers a monthly salary of RM1,500.
In the second operation on January 12, a 54-year-old Indonesian woman was rescued from a residence converted into a food premises in Bukit Jelutong.
The victim was believed to have worked for nearly a month after an agent handed her over for a payment of up to RM14,000.
“The victim was forced to work beyond the stipulated hours, while her passport and mobile phone were kept by the syndicate, causing her to lose contact with family members,” he said.
Zakaria added the victim was traumatised by physical and psychological abuse, with tightly controlled movements.
A local woman, the owner of the premises, was detained to assist in the investigation.
Both victims were identified using the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0.
The case is being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007.
Upon conviction, offenders face life imprisonment or a minimum five-year jail term, and may also be liable to whipping.
