Twenty Indonesian and Cambodian women, believed to be victims of human trafficking, were rescued during a raid on an employment agency premises in Shah Alam early today.

ACP Maszely Minhad, assistant director of D7C, the anti-trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants unit in Bukit Aman, said the victims, aged between 17 and 40, were found locked in a room at the premises.

“They are cleaning ladies deployed to work around Shah Alam and Subang Jaya.

Initial investigation found that their salaries had not been paid for the past six to ten months and their passports were kept by their employer and that all their movements were being closely monitored,” he told reporters at the scene.

He said the victims were also not allowed to leave the premises without permission from the manager.

Maszely said seven local men and a Cambodian woman, aged between 30 and 59, believed to be members of the human trafficking syndicate, were arrested during the raid.

He said the seven men comprised the manager and six drivers of the agency, while the Cambodian woman worked as a supervisor.

The case had been handed over to Shah Alam Police Headquarters for further investigation under Section 13 of the Anti-trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

“The victims will be placed at protection houses around the Klang Valley,” he added.

- Benama