Woman, 56, rescued in Batu Caves after 16 years of working without pay or valid papers. Employer arrested
PETALING JAYA: A 56-year-old Indonesian woman was rescued by Immigration officers in a dramatic operation in Batu Caves, Selangor, after enduring nearly 16 years of alleged forced labour and abuse, including two years without pay.
The rescue operation, conducted on November 24 by officers from the Immigration Department’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Prevention Division and the Anti–Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (Amla) divisions, was initiated following a tip-off from an undisclosed source.
The distressing circumstances of the woman’s employment were immediately evident upon the officers’ arrival. Investigators discovered the victim concealed beneath a four-wheel-drive vehicle at the premises.
“Investigations found that she acted in this manner on her employer’s instructions to avoid being detected by operational officers,” the department stated in a press release issued today.
The woman disclosed to the rescue team that she had been employed as a domestic helper for almost 16 years without any valid work pass or documentation. She was originally promised a monthly salary of RM600 but confirmed she had not received any wages for the last two years of her service.
The extent of the victim’s trauma and exploitation was significant. According to the department:
- Abuse: She was in a “traumatised state” after being frequently scolded and physically beaten by her employer.
- Isolation: Her passport was confiscated, and she was strictly prohibited from holding a mobile phone, restricting all communication.
- Forced Labour: She was not allowed to return to her family and was compelled to work without rest, forcing her to “steal moments to sleep.”
The Immigration rescue team immediately applied the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0 during the operation to confirm signs of forced labour.
A 51-year-old local, believed to be the employer, was arrested at the location. He informed officers that he had secured the woman’s services “through a close family member.”
An investigation has been opened under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom).
The Immigration Department has urged the public to remain vigilant and continue channeling information on suspected human trafficking and forced labour cases to the Atipsom and Amla Prevention Division for immediate action.
