KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah Immigration Department has rescued nine Filipino women who were scammed into entering Malaysia last week with promises of jobs in the Middle East.
They were rescued in an operation against human trafficking and smuggling in the first such high-profile case in the state this year.
State Immigration Department director Datuk Muhamad Sade Mohamad Amin said three suspects – two men and a woman aged 28 to 40, all of whom are Filipinos who acted as agents – were arrested.
The victims and suspects were found at an unnumbered unit in SK Pekan Semporna and a house in Kg Terusan Hujung Batu on Pulau Bum Bum in Semporna.
“The nine victims, aged 20 to 40, said they were tricked by a Filipino woman purportedly looking for other Filipinos to take up jobs with lucrative salaries in the Middle East, including Jordan and Dubai (in the United Arab Emirates),” said Sade.
“Each victim was charged up to RM13,000 as the ‘service fee’.”
It is unclear if the victims were being trafficked for prostitution. A probe is under way to determine the matter and uncover the masterminds behind the syndicate.
Sade said the three suspects are being held at the Papar immigration depot, while the victims have been placed under the care of the Kota Kinabalu Women’s Protection Centre.
The suspects will be investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which carries a maximum 15 years’ jail, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
A Covid-19 test was conducted on each suspect before they were sent to the detention centre, said Sade.
He called on the public to serve as the government’s eyes and ears, and report human trafficking and smuggling syndicates.
“The Sabah Immigration Department will not compromise on this. We will take the necessary actions against any individual found to be involved in this crime.” –The Vibes, July 11, 2021
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