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New Straits Times
14 hours 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.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- The Sun
Setapak raid busts migrant smuggling syndicate, 12 detained
KUALA LUMPUR: Police dismantled a human smuggling syndicate operating from a Setapak apartment, arresting 12 individuals in a late-night raid. The operation, led by Bukit Aman's Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Division, targeted a homestay used as a transit point for illegal migrants. SAC Soffian Santong, principal assistant director of ATIPSOM, confirmed the arrests. 'Four suspects, aged 22 to 31, are believed to be syndicate members acting as agents and caretakers. The remaining eight detainees were migrants attempting to leave Malaysia illegally,' he said. Investigations revealed the syndicate, known as Geng Roni, had been active for three months, advertising services on social media. Migrants were charged between RM1,000 and RM1,700 for unauthorised routes to Indonesia. The case is being probed under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and the Immigration Act 1959/63. - Bernama
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.
Free Malaysia Today
17-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
16 forced labour victims rescued in Klang Valley raids
Bukit Aman D3 chief Soffian Santong urged the public to report any suspicious activities in their area. (PDRM pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Police rescued 16 people, including teenagers, believed to be the victims of forced labour in a series of raids across the Klang Valley yesterday by Bukit Aman's Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) unit under Op Pintas Mega. Bukit Aman D3 chief Soffian Santong said the first raid took place just after midnight at a restaurant in Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang, where five teenage boys aged 16 to 17 – four from Myanmar and one from Indonesia – were rescued. Two men were arrested: the employer, a 29-year-old Malaysian, and a 26-year-old Indian national who acted as the supervisor. They are being investigated under the Atipsom Act 2007. Police also detained 20 other foreign workers, including Indian, Myanmar, Bangladeshi, and Indonesian nationals, for suspected immigration offences. The second raid at 11.30am took place at a construction site in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur. Eight men – a local and seven Bangladeshis aged between 35 and 51 – were rescued. Soffian said two Bangladeshi men acting as supervisors were arrested under the Atipsom Act while 17 others were detained under the Immigration Act. 'Police also raided two car workshops in Puchong Utama at around 4.15pm and 4.25pm. They rescued three teenage boys, aged 14 to 17, including one from Myanmar,' he said. Two local men believed to be the workshop owners were arrested under the Atipsom Act. Two Myanmar nationals working there were also detained for immigration offences. The rescued victims were taken to police stations in Gombak, Brickfields, and Subang Jaya for further action. The joint operation also involved the home ministry, immigration department, labour department, Maritime Enforcement Agency, and National Anti-Trafficking Council. 'Police are serious about fighting human trafficking and urge the public to report any suspicious activities in their area,' said Soffian.
Malaysiakini
09-05-2025
- Malaysiakini
Cops rescue 16 forced labour victims in Klang Valley raids
Police rescued 16 people, including teenagers, believed to be victims of forced labour during a series of raids across the Klang Valley yesterday. Bukit Aman D3 chief Soffian Santong said the first raid by the Bukit Aman Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) unit took place just after midnight on May 8. The unit, under Op Pintas Mega, raided a restaurant in Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang, where...
