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New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Police rescue two human trafficking victims in Setapak raid
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have rescued two Indian women believed to be victims of human trafficking and forced labour. Federal Criminal Investigation Department Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Division (D3) principal assistant director, Senior Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong, said officers raided a residence in Setapak, Wangsa Maju, about 9pm last night. "The raid was conducted following intelligence gathered. "The operation focused on identifying vulnerable victims of human trafficking, guided by the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI)," he said in a statement today. He said one Indian man was arrested and two human trafficking victims were rescued during the raid. "Our checks revealed the victims, who hailed from India, were deceived and exploited through forced labour at the residence. "Both victims are aged 20 and 22, while the suspect is a 30-year-old man, also from India," he said, adding that the two women were rescued under Section 44(1) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act. He said the suspect was arrested under Section 13 of the same act. "Further checks revealed the suspect acted as both employer and agent for the victims. "Both victims had been promised employment as tailors with a monthly salary of RM2,000," he said, adding that they did not receive any payment up until the time of their rescue. He said upon refusing to continue working due to non-payment, the suspect allegedly resorted to physical violence against them. "He is alleged to have hit them with a fan. "Both victims suffered injuries to their knees and chin," he said, adding that the victims had been "employed" by the suspect since December last year. Soffian urged the public with information on similar cases to contact the police immediately or go to the nearest police station.
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- New Straits Times
12 held in Setapak over migrant smuggling
KUALA LUMPUR: Police foiled an attempt to smuggle migrants out of Malaysia following a raid on an apartment in Setapak yesterday. Federal Criminal Investigation Department Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Division principal assistant director Senior Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong said the 9pm operation uncovered an attempt to smuggle migrants to Indonesia via unapproved routes. "The raid resulted in the arrest of 12 people for various offences. "Four were detained under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, comprising three Indonesian men, aged 29 to 31, and an Indonesian woman, 22. They acted as agents, caretakers of the safehouse and transporters." He said five suspects were held under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not having valid documents, comprising two Indonesian women, aged 23 and 43, an Indonesian man, 47, and two Bangladeshi men, aged 27 and 41. "Three were arrested under Section 15(1)(c) of the same act, comprising an Indonesian man and two Bangladeshi men, all aged 29 to 41." Soffian said the apartment was used as a safehouse for migrants, with agents charging RM1,000 to RM1,700 for their services. "The group advertised its services on social media and used the premises as a transit point for migrants entering or leaving Malaysia through unapproved routes. "Transporters take them from the safehouse to the coastal area." The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, as well as Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The Star
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
HRD Corp kicks off NTW 2025 with Malaysia's largest corporate teambuilding event
IN conjunction with National Training Week (NTW) 2025, the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) launched Trainerthon 2025 — an industry-driven initiative aimed at strengthening corporate skills development and fostering a culture of lifelong learning among Malaysian businesses. Organised by and held at Bertam Resort and Water Park, Kepala Batas, Penang, the event brought together 1,000 participants from both the public and private sectors in a large-scale team-building programme, which set a new Malaysia Book of Records entry for the most corporate team building facilities in a resort. HRD Corp Chief Programmes Officer Soffian Amin said Trainerthon 2025 is a key platform to empower the industry to take a more active role in human capital development and lifelong learning. He said the initiative supports NTW 2025's goal of fostering a culture of continuous learning—not just in technical training, but also in soft skills, which are vital in today's economy. 'As an agency under the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA), HRD Corp is committed to upskilling and reskilling efforts, and positioning NTW as an open platform for accessible learning across all segments of society. 'Trainerthon 2025 reflects this vision, showing how experiential learning can help build a competitive future workforce,' he said at the closing ceremony. Through NTW, he said HRD Corp is building an ecosystem where Malaysian companies of all sizes are empowered to take the lead in promoting lifelong learning among their workforce. Soffian, who also serves as NTW chairman, added that Trainerthon 2025 exemplifies the value of public-private collaboration in driving national learning and skills development. He said the programme reflects how the private sector is stepping up to champion innovation in corporate learning. "It showcases a model where the government and industry work together to deliver scalable, impactful learning experiences that benefit employees and organisations alike. "This is exactly the type of partnership HRD Corp seeks to foster under Malaysia's leadership in Asean Year of Skills 2025 by inspiring more cross-sector action to build a future-ready workforce," he said. He said the programme offers an experiential learning approach that helps employees develop critical soft skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork and adaptability that are essential in the digital and Al-driven economy. "More than just a 'fun' teambuilding exercise, it is a strategic tool for building agile, resilient teams — reflecting how Malaysian employers are reimagining learning for the future of work.' A programme that is challenging yet rewarding Participant S. Koamathi, 43, said it was her first time taking part in such an event. 'I feel great, and I believe this is a valuable platform to enhance my skills both as an employee and a trainer,' she said. Koamathi, a florist who runs a flower shop in Sungai Petani, said the programme also helped her develop new skills in team building, collaboration and critical thinking. 'It also taught us how to think strategically to achieve our goals and develop leadership qualities,' she added. IT trainer Fazlu Muhyudin Syed Ibramsa, 36, who attended the programme with three of his employees, said the one-day event not only equipped him with new knowledge and skills, but also taught him the importance of effective communication and teamwork. The programme also provided a great opportunity to connect with peers from other companies. 'The team-building activities helped us make new friends and improved our communication, collaboration and understanding of different workplace cultures,' he said, adding that he hopes similar programmes will be held regularly for their valuable experiences that go beyond the typical work environment. Quality engineer Lee Khan En, 29, described the programme as a valuable opportunity to strengthen teamwork among participants. 'We had the chance to learn from one another's ideas throughout the activities. Some of the challenges were tough, but they really pushed us to collaborate and rely on each other.' Lee added that the programme also helped sharpen their social and interpersonal skills. 'As someone who's naturally introverted, it helped me become more confident in communicating and connecting with others,' he said, adding that the experience also exposed him to diverse perspectives and problem-solving approaches. According to Soffian, HRD Corp through NTW is building an ecosystem where Malaysian companies of all sizes are empowered to take the lead in promoting lifelong learning among their workforce. A historic milestone for NTW 2025 The one-day event brought together 1,000 participants from diverse backgrounds, who took on 25 gruelling checkpoints designed to test their physical endurance, mental resilience, and team spirit. Trainerthon 2025 was officially recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records in the category of 'Most Facilities for Corporate Team Building in a Resort.' Bertam Resort and Water Park manager Siti Fatimah Packeer Mohd described Trainerthon 2025 as a large-scale corporate team-building programme that blends physical, mental and collaborative challenges. "The initiative not only embraces the concept of experiential learning, but also aligns with the objectives of NTW 2025 to cultivate a skilled and competitive workforce. 'This programme is designed to help each participant grow, both individually and as part of a stronger, more cohesive team. We've created a learning experience that focuses on soft skill development and fostering closer team connections,' she said.
The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
Police rescue 16 victims of forced labour in Klang Valley
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have rescued 16 people, including teenagers, believed to be victims of forced labour in a series of raids in the the Klang Valley, conducted by Bukit Aman's anti-trafficking in persons and anti-smuggling of migrants unit under Ops Pintas Mega. Bukit Aman D3 chief SAC Soffian Santong said five teenage boys – four from Myanmar and one from Indonesia aged 16 to 17 – were rescued in the first raid just after midnight on Thursday (May 8) at a restaurant in Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang. Two men – a 29-year-old Malaysian employer and a 26-year-old Indian national supervisor –were arrested and both are being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. Police also detained 20 other foreign workers from India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia, for suspected immigration offences. Eight men – a local and seven Bangladeshis aged from 35 and 51 – were rescued in the second raid at 11.30am at a construction site in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur. Soffian said two Bangladeshi men acting as supervisors were arrested and 17 others were detained under the Immigration Act. "Later in the day, police raided two car workshops in Puchong Utama and rescued three teenage boys aged 14 to 17, including one from Myanmar, " he added. Two local men believed to be the workshop owners were arrested and two Myanmar nationals working there were detained for immigration offences. All rescued victims were taken to police stations in Gombak, Brickfields and Subang Jaya. The joint operation also involved the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, Labour Department, Maritime Enforcement Agency and the National Anti-Trafficking Council. – Bernama
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Police rescue 16 foreigners, including 7 children, from forced labour in Klang Valley
KUALA LUMPUR: Police rescued 16 foreign nationals, including seven children, who were being exploited as forced labour in a series of operations conducted yesterday. The raids, part of Op Pintas Mega, were led by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Division (D3) of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and took place at four locations across Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Authorities also arrested 45 foreign nationals for various immigration offences. Bukit Aman D3 principal assistant director, Senior Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong said the first raid took place at a restaurant in Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang, at 12.05am. "Five boys, four from Myanmar and one from Indonesia, aged between 16 and 17, were rescued under Section 44 of the ATIPSOM Act," he said. "Following this, we arrested two men, one local and one Indian national, who acted as the employer and supervisor of the boys." "In the same raid, 20 individuals aged between 22 and 45 were detained, including 10 Myanmar nationals, four Indians, two Bangladeshis, and two Indonesians," he added in a statement today. Soffian said the second raid was conducted at a construction site in Pantai Dalam, where eight men who were being exploited were rescued. "Nine individuals, including a local supervisor aged between 35 and 51, were detained." The third operation took place at a car workshop in Puchong Utama, Selangor, at 4.16pm, where two boys aged 14 and 17 were rescued, and their employer was arrested. "A subsequent raid was carried out at another car workshop at the same location at 4.25pm, where a child from Myanmar was rescued," he said. "In that operation, a 45-year-old local man believed to be the employer, along with two Myanmar nationals, were also arrested." All rescued victims were handed over to the Gombak, Brickfields, and Subang Jaya district police headquarters for further action. He added that the joint operation involved the Immigration Department, Labour Department, Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council and the Home Ministry. It was aimed at identifying victims of human trafficking and forced labour exploitation, particularly among vulnerable groups.
