KUALA LUMPUR: Eight Bangladeshi men were rescued after being victims of exploitation and forced labour at a vegetable farm at Tanah Tinggi Lojing in Gua Musang, Kelantan.
The operation was conducted by officers from the Bukit Aman CID Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) division (D3) at about 12.30pm on Tuesday (Jan 21).
Bukit Aman D3 principal assistant director Senior Asst Comm Soffian Santong said the victims from Bangladesh were aged between 27 and 47.
"We believe they were exploited by not being given salaries.
"Some among them have worked at the farm for six to seven months," he said when contacted.
Three locals and 22 foreigners aged between 24 and 50 were also detained during the operation, he said.
"One of the locals detained was the owner of the farm.
"We are investigating under Section 12 of the Atipsom Act 2007 and Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
"The foreigners detained were from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Indonesia," he said.
The farm was cultivating onions, tomatoes and cabbages, SAC Soffian said.
"We will investigate further," he said.
