Two Indonesian Women Rescued From Exploitation - Immigration DG

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Two Indonesian women believed to be victims of forced labour and human trafficking were successfully rescued in two separate operations conducted in Kapar and Bukit Jelutong, Selangor, on Jan 6 and 12.

Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said that in the first raid on Jan 6, a 38-year-old local woman, believed to be acting as an agent, was arrested while carrying out a transaction to hand over a domestic helper to an employer at a food premises.

Following the operation, he said a 45-year-old Indonesian woman was successfully rescued.

“Initial investigations found that the victim held a valid Social Visit Pass but had been exploited to work as a domestic helper.

“The victim was also burdened with a debt of RM3,000 for travel costs, which had to be repaid through monthly salary deductions,” he said in a statement here today.

Zakaria said investigations revealed that the syndicate’s modus operandi involved offering domestic helper services via the WhatsApp application, charging employers RM8,000 while promising workers a monthly salary of RM1,500.

In the second operation on Jan 12, he said another Indonesian woman, aged 54, was successfully rescued from a residence that had been converted into a food premises in Bukit Jelutong.

He said the victim was believed to have worked for nearly a month after being handed over by an agent to the employer 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 said the victim was also traumatised by physical and psychological abuse, as well as tightly controlled movements. A local woman, who is also the owner of the premises, was detained to assist in the investigation.

He said both victims were identified based on the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0, and the case is being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007 (Act 670).

Upon conviction under ATIPSOM 2007, offenders may be sentenced to life imprisonment or a minimum jail term of five years, and also be liable to whipping

-- BERNAMA