A couple with honorary titles was arrested by the Immigration Department recently after they were found to be running an illegal recruitment agency for helpers and cleaners.
The 66-year-old Datuk and 56-year-old Datin were nabbed at their home in Shah Alam on Feb. 16 after police received a tip-off from the public.
Thirteen Indonesian women, aged between 22 and 47, were also found at the couple’s residence.
“Investigations showed that the Indonesian women entered the country posing as tourists and using the social visit pass (PLS).
“The house where the raid was conducted was the home of the married couple and it was also used as accommodation for the Indonesian women,” Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said in a statement on Sunday (Feb. 26).
He said the women would be supplied as helpers and cleaners by the couple.
“Each woman was charged between RM3,500 and RM4,500 as a fee for their entry into the country, which will be deducted from their salary.
“We believe the married couple managed the entry of the women and their subsequent employments as helpers illegally with the help of agents in Indonesia,” he added.
Khairul said the duo was being investigated under Section 55E of the Immigration Act for letting undocumented foreigners enter the country or stay at premises owned by them.
“The Indonesian women are being investigated for multiple Immigration violations.
“The case will be referred to the Labour Department under the Human Resource Ministry for hiring and supplying workers without a proper license,” he said.
Khairul Dzaimee said Immigration will monitor illegal promotions of foreign helpers and cleaners including on social media sites or by illegal agents.
“We hope the people will be wary of this illegal activity and always refer to Immigration or the Labour Department,” he said.
ALSO CHECK OUT:
