Illegal foreign maid agency busted

KUALA LUMPUR: A man, who carries a Datuk title, and his wife were among 15 people detained in an illegal foreign maid recruitment scheme.

Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said 13 Indonesian women, aged between 22 and 47, were also nabbed along with the couple at a house in Shah Alam, Selangor, on Feb 16.

End of the road: The individuals detained during the raid by the Immigration Department at a house in Shah Alam.

“Investigations showed that the Indonesians entered the country as tourists, using the social visit pass, he added in a statement yesterday.

He pointed out that the house, which is the home of the couple, was also used as a temporary shelter for the Indonesian women before they were hired as domestic workers or cleaners.

“It costs each woman between RM3,500 and RM4,500 to enter Malaysia. The fees are deducted from their salaries.

“We believe the married couple managed the entry of the women and their subsequent employment as maids illegally with the help of agents in Indonesia,” added Khairul Dzaimee.

He said the Datuk, 66, and Datin, 56, are being investigated under Section 55E of the Immigration Act for letting undocumented foreigners enter the country or stay at premises owned by them.

“The Indonesian women are being investigated for multiple immigration violations.

“The case will be referred to the Labour Department under the Human Resource Ministry for hiring and supplying workers without a proper licence,” he pointed out.

Khairul Dzaimee said the Immigration Department monitors the promotion of foreign maids and cleaners, including ones on social media sites or by illegal agents.

“We hope people will always refer to the Immigration or Labour Department before hiring maids.”