Johor Bahru: The Malaysian Immigration Department successfully rescued 10 underage foreign girls, believed to be victims of sexual exploitation, during a raid on a spa and massage center in Johor Bahru. The operation, which took place yesterday, uncovered a disturbing scenario of deception and abuse.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban revealed that the victims, comprising six Vietnamese and four Indonesian girls, were lured into the country with false promises of employment. Investigations, guided by the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators, showed that the victims were denied wages, had their movements restricted, and their passports withheld. Currently, all 10 victims are housed in a shelter as investigations proceed under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007 [Act 670].
The raid led to the arrest of 37 Vietnamese and 16 Indonesian women, aged between 18 and 40, suspected of engaging in prostitution. Zakaria disclosed that initial findings indicated prostitution services were offered discreetly to select clients via WeChat and WhatsApp, with rates ranging from RM200 to RM300 per hour.
Additionally, 11 men from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, employed as cleaners, were apprehended alongside seven local men suspected of owning the premises and acting as ‘captains’ or handlers of the foreign women. The authorities seized RM128,464 in cash, believed to be proceeds from these illicit activities.
The raid, conducted at 3.15 pm, caught several women attending to customers, which included both locals and foreign tourists. Some women were found hiding in a concealed room in an attempt to evade detection. Zakaria confirmed that the detained foreign nationals are being held at Immigration detention centers for further investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, and Immigration Regulations 1963.
The local suspects identified as ‘captains’ face investigations under Section 12 of the ATIPSOM Act 2007, Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966, and Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63. This operation was initiated following public complaints and intelligence gathered by the ATIPSOM and Anti-Money Laundering Prevention Unit of the Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya. In total, 58 officers from various divisions, including the Enforcement Division, Intelligence and Special Operations Division, as well as officers from Negeri Sembilan and Johor, were involved in the successful operation.