KOTA KINABALU: A syndicate involved in human smuggling was smashed by the Sabah Immigration Dept with the arrest of three suspects and the rescue of nine women in Semporna on the east coast.
State Immigration director Datuk Dr Muhamad Sade Mohamad Amin said the suspects, two men and a woman, are believed to have lured the women with the promise of lucrative jobs in the Middle East.
"Each woman paid the syndicate up to RM13,000 in service fees for lucrative job placements in the Middle East, especially Jordan and Dubai," he said in a statement on Sunday (July 11).
He said a team of 15 raided two unnumbered houses, one at SK Pekan Semporna and another in Kampung Terusan Hujung Batu on Bum Bum Island, over two days from 11pm on Thursday (July 8) to Friday.
The team, led by a deputy assistant director from the Enforcement Unit's Semporna Immigration Office, managed to rescue the women and arrested the suspects at the two houses.
Muhamad Sade said investigations were being carried out under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007.
He said the three suspects, aged between 28 and 40 years, were being detained at the Papar Immigration Detention Depot, about 40km from Kota Kinabalu, for further investigation.
"They are being investigated for carrying out smuggling of migrants. If convicted they are liable to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine or both," he said.
He added that the victims, aged between 20 and 45 years, were being housed at the Kota Kinabalu Women’s Shelter.
It is learnt that all the victims and the woman suspect are Philippine nationals.
Muhammad Sade said the suspects and victims have been put through a strict health screening process including Covid-19 tests and placed under quarantine as per the Health Ministry's standard operating procedures.
In thanking the public for providing information, Muhamad Sade urged the people to continue providing tip-offs on human trafficking activities in the state.
"The public should be our eyes and ears. The Immigration Department will not hesitate to take action against syndicates or individuals involved in human smuggling.
"We will not compromise and will act appropriately and firmly," he added.
