KUANTAN: A total of 17 Indonesian women, believed to be victims of exploitation by a maid and cleaning services syndicate, were rescued in a special operation at a premises in Temerloh on Sunday (Aug 24).
Pahang Immigration director Nursafariza Ihsan said the women, aged between 23 and 50 years old, all of whom had expired social visit passes, were rescued at about 10pm when officers raided the premises.
A local man and woman, both in their 60s, believed to be the agency owner and victims' caretaker, were also arrested during the operation.
"The syndicate's modus operandi was to use foreign women as daily maids and cleaners at prearranged houses, charging between RM120 and RM150 per day.
"Homeowners interested in the service would contact the agency, which would set the date and working hours, as well as arrange transport to and from the house," she said in a statement Wednesday (Aug 27).
Nursafariza said the syndicate is believed to have been operating for over two years, raking in more than RM500,000 annually from payments for daily maids and cleaners.
According to her, the victims allegedly never received their wages directly, and their movements were restricted. They were also denied leave and prohibited from using mobile phones to contact family members in Indonesia.
The daily wages were allegedly handed over entirely to the agency without being given to the victims.
Meanwhile, Pahang Immigration also seized a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) believed to have been used to transport the victims, RM10,570 in cash, 87 Indonesian passports and 52 mobile phones belonging to the victims, which were kept by the premises caretaker.
The operation also employed an approach to identify victims of human trafficking (forced labour) among vulnerable groups based on the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0.
"For now, the victims have been placed at a Social Welfare Department shelter pending further action, while the agency owner and caretaker have been remanded for seven days," she said.
She added that investigations are being carried out under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 and Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613), among others. - Bernama
