PETALING JAYA: Nationwide raids against human trafficking operations led to the rescue of 138 victims, Bukit Aman says.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar, in a statement Thursday (Jan 28), said that 77 raids were conducted nationwide on Jan 28 as part of a joint operation dubbed Ops Pintas Khas.
“The focus of the operation was to identify victims of human trafficking and labour exploitation, especially in the oil palm plantation and rubber glove manufacturing sectors as well as others, in particular those among vulnerable groups, women, and children, guided by the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0.,” he said.
Of the raids conducted, 41 were from the business and services sector, with 19 raids conducted within the plantation sector.
“The raiding teams also successfully rescued 138 victims under Section 44 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670).
“The victims consists of 58 men and 23 women aged between 18 and 51 years old, as well as 39 male children and 18 female children aged between 12 and 17 years old.
“The victims involved various nationalities, including eight Malaysians, eight Filipinos, 34 Indonesians, 13 Bangladeshis, and 75 Myanmar nationals. Among those rescued was one male child with disabilities, who was deaf and mute,”he said.
The raids also led to the arrest of 67 suspects aged between 30 and 69 years old.
“They are believed to be employers and supervisors of the victims. From those arrested, 42 were found to be local citizens and 25 were foreign nationals,” he said adding that all suspects have been brought in for further investigations.
Comm M. Kumar said that the police will not compromise with any found involved in human trafficking crimes.
“Firm action will be taken against those involved under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007. Members of the public are urged to channel information related to this crime to the nearest police station,” he said.
