They were taken away from their father at the age of 15 and 16, and for the next 15 years forced to work without pay in a factory in Puchong, Selangor.

NONE Now 30 and 31 years old respectively, Simon Bangan ( right, in yellow shirt ) and his elder brother Radin ( checkered shirt ) said an agent had brought them from Serian, Sarawak, to Peninsular Malaysia in 1995, with the tempting offer of a RM2,000 monthly salary each.

However, from the day they arrived as labourers for a company producing pao (buns), the Iban siblings alleged they have not been paid a single sen.

This despite, they claimed, being forced to work for 12 hours a day, during which they were allowed to rest only for meals.

Whenever they asked about their pay, their boss would retort, "Why would you need to keep so much money? I will keep the money and give it to you when you leave,” he allegedly told them.

Given RM500 'angpow'

According to the brothers, they had never gotten the chance to contact their family in Kampung Antayan. 

Radin said that after they decided they could no longer tolerate working for free, he and his brother were adamant to go home in February and the trip was sponsored by their employer. 

The brothers were given RM500 as ‘angpow’ (red packets) and flight tickets for their return to Sarawak.

The duo's father, Bangan Jelian, 60, said that although the employer had paid for the tickets, it was not enough to make up for what his sons had gone through for over a decade.

Even though he was disappointed with what had happened, Bagan said he was grateful that he was reunited with his children.

"The family considers their return as a gift for the upcoming Gawai

celebrations next week," he added. 

Radin told Bernama that two other workers from Sarawak and three from Perak were still at the factory.

"We took up jobs at a pao factory in Puchong, but we never got our salaries lthough our accommodation and meals were taken care of by the employer," he said.

The two siblings today lodged a police report on the matter at the Central Police Station in Kuching.

"I am not satisfied with the actions of my boss, who ended our work (in the factory) suddenly without any compensation or pay for the work we did over the past 15 years," said Simon in his report.

'Shocking case'

sarawak polls talk 010606 dominique ng In a statement released today on the matter, Sarawak state assemblyperson Dominique Ng Kim Ho ( right ) said he was shocked when the case was brought to his attention.

This could be regarded as a case of kidnapping or abduction as well as underaged labor, said the Padungan state representative.

"I am shocked to know that such a case could still happen in our modern age," said Ng.

"I would like to strongly urge all the relevant authorities to carry out prompt investigations into this case and to swiftly bring the culprits to justice... and ensure that no more of our youth have to face such situations in the future," he added.

A report containing their grievances has been lodged with the Labour Department and is scheduled to be heard by the Selangor Labour Court.