OP PINTAS MEGA: MYANMAR TEEN RESCUED FROM FORCED LABOUR

IPOH, July 25 (Bernama) -- Dozens for foreign workers fled and tried to go into hiding when police conducted an Op Pintas Mega raid at a recycling factory in IGB Tasek Industrial Park here today.

However, the quick action of D7 Division of the Perak police contingent headquarters (IPK) and D3 Anti-Trafficking and People Smuggling Division (ATIPSOM) of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) thwarted their attempts.

In the operation at about 3.30 pm, which was joined by the Perak branch of the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) and state Department of Environment (DOE), a 16-year-old Myanmar teenager suspected of being exploited for forced labour was successfully rescued.

Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said in the operation, 27 foreign workers, comprising Myanmar and China nationals were detained for various offences.

"Police successfully rescued a minor suspected of being exploited to work in the factory in question under Section 44 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007,” he said in a statement today..

"Following that, police took action against a local man, 49, acting as a company director, for investigation under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 and Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63."

"The arrested foreign workers are being investigated in accordance with Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to submit any valid travel documents and Rule 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 which is in violation of pass conditions.”

"All of them were taken to the Ipoh district police headquarters (IPD) for further investigation while the Perak DOE also took action against the factory for not complying with the Environmental Quality Act 1974," he added.

-- BERNAMA