Two Indonesian women suspected of being victims of forced labor exploitation and human trafficking were successfully rescued by the Immigration Department after a series of enforcement operations in Kapar and Bukit Jalil, Selangor.
Immigration Department Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban pointed out that the enforcement operations were carried out separately on January 6 and 12, following public complaints and intelligence from the Immigration Department’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Money Laundering Prevention Unit. The aim was to dismantle an unregistered foreign domestic helper agency syndicate.
He said that in the first operation on January 6, enforcement officers arrested a 38-year-old local woman at a food and beverage premises. The woman was caught handing over a foreign domestic helper to an employer and is believed to be an illegal agent. During the operation, enforcement officers managed to rescue a 45-year-old Indonesian woman.
Investigations revealed that the victim held a valid social visit pass but was exploited to work as a domestic helper and was forced to bear a “transportation fee” debt of RM3,000, which had to be repaid through monthly deductions from her salary.
Zakaria noted that the syndicate's modus operandi was to provide domestic helper services via WhatsApp, charging employers a fee of RM8,000, while promising the helpers a monthly salary of RM1,500.
In the second operation conducted on January 12, enforcement officers rescued another 54-year-old Indonesian woman in a residential unit that had been converted into a food and beverage business premises. Investigations showed this woman had worked there for nearly a month and was handed over to the employer by an agent for a fee as high as RM14,000.
He said the victim was forced to work excessive hours, and her passport and mobile phone were confiscated by the syndicate, resulting in loss of contact with her family. She also suffered physical and mental abuse and was traumatized due to restricted movement. The local female owner of the premises was also arrested to assist with the investigation.
He added that the rescue operations were carried out in accordance with the National Guidelines on the Identification of Victims of Trafficking in Persons (NGHTI) 2.0, to identify victims of human trafficking. The case is currently being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
Zakaria emphasized that the authorities are committed to strictly combating human trafficking offenses and will not compromise with any individuals or syndicates involved in such crimes. According to the law, upon conviction, offenders can be sentenced to life imprisonment or at least 5 years' imprisonment; in severe cases, whipping may also be imposed. Agents or employers involved will also face harsher penalties.
He urged the public to be vigilant and to report any suspected exploitation of foreign nationals or human trafficking activities to the authorities for enforcement action. Relevant complaints or information can be directed to the Immigration Department’s Prevention Unit Hotline at 03-8880 1471, or emailed to: urusetia_p@imi.gov.my.