JOHOR BARU: Police have rescued two Chinese nationals who had been allegedly exploited as beggars at night markets and eating places since November.
Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh said the victims, a 36-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man, both were disabled.
“They were rescued from a house at Jalan Temenggong 3, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Skudai on Sunday (Dec 22) during a raid at 11pm," he said in a statement on Monday (Dec 23).
ACP Balveer said the victims were rescued following the arrest of a 67-year-old local man from a house at Jalan Perkasa 5 in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah at 10.50pm on Sunday.
He said initial investigations found that the suspect would transport the two victims to the night markets and eateries.
“They could collect between RM50 and RM150 daily," he added.
He said police also seized a mobile phone, a Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) driver accreditation card, a car, a car remote control, and a bunch of house keys.
The suspect has been remanded for five days until Friday (Dec 27), he added.
ACP Balveer said a 21-day protection order application had been filed for the victims under Section 44(2) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007 so they could be placed in a shelter home while helping with the investigation.
He also said the case is being probed under Section 12 of the Act, which carries a jail term of up to 15 years, a fine, or both upon conviction.
