KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate involved in "modern day slavery" has been dismantled following the arrest of 14 suspects in the Klang Valley.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department Director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said that 11 raids were conducted in the Klang area between Oct 10 and 13.
The raids also led to the rescue of 49 Indonesian women, believed to have been forced to work as part-time maids.
A total of 14 suspects, aged between 27 and 48, have been arrested, including the suspected mastermind behind the syndicate.
Eleven of the suspects are locals while the rest are Indonesians.
About RM1mil in cash was also seized during the raid.
"One of the victims had been held for about 13 years without earning any wages, as all proceeds were taken by the syndicate. Fear was used to control them," said Comm Kumar at a press conference on Friday (Oct 17).
He explained that the group concealed their operations behind a legitimate employment agency and recruited victims from impoverished areas in Indonesia.
Comm Kumar said the women were promised jobs in various sectors but were forced to work as unpaid part-time maids once brought into the country.
Five houses were used to accommodate the 49 victims, averaging 10 victims per house.
"All victims have been placed under an interim protection order for 21 days, from Oct 11 to Oct 31," he added.
