A shocking news report in The Star highlights the suffering of a 21-year old girl from China, who after coming to Malaysia was forced into prostitution. As a sex-slave she received no money and was forced to serve up to nine clients a day. This is no different from rape. After three months of this the girl managed to escape.

Many similar cases have been reported. But never have I read about the kidnappers and rapists being punished other than for operating illegal entertainment outlets and such. If an ordinary rapist get 20 years in jail for his crime, then these people should get life sentences.

How come so many of these vice-syndicates are able to operate so freely and get away with the most horrific of crimes? Where are the police? Are they taking the problem seriously or do some of these vice syndicates have friends in higher places?

Many of them are operating very openly, even in central areas of towns and cities. If a male foreigner strolls down Bukit Bintang, he will be approached by numerous touts asking if he wants 'young ladies', some even giving their business cards.

The 'customer' may not know whether these young girls are prostitutes by free will or by force but that does not free him of moral responsibility. In a Singapore case two years ago, customers of a girl forced into prostitution were severely punished despite claiming that they did not know. It is no excuse, because people should know better!

A common factor among sex-slaves in Malaysia is that they all come from poor developing countries and can easily be lured with promises of high paying jobs. They are victims easy to exploit and their governments don't have the resources to take action on their behalf.

If girls from Western countries were held as sex-slaves in Malaysia, there would be a loud outcry and outrage and Malaysian police and authorities would be forced to take serious action against the syndicates.

Before considering using the 'services' of a prostitute, remember that you might be an accomplice to rape and you are definitely supporting organised crime by doing so.