The plight of foreign workers was uncovered when police raided a business premise at Pusat Niaga Nakhoda here yesterday, suspected of being used for forced labour, including confining workers and making them work up to 12 hours a day without rest.
A total of 27 individuals were detained during Ops Pintas Khas by the D7 (Secret Societies, Vice, and Gambling) Branch of the Central Melaka District Police Headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Division, in cooperation with the D7 Criminal Investigation Department of the Melaka Contingent.
Central Melaka District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Patit, said a 20-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were also arrested, believed to be the premises’ manager and supervisor.
Investigations revealed that 25 Myanmar nationals, comprising 15 men and 10 women aged between 23 and 47, were working at the premises without valid permits or passes.
“Preliminary investigations found that workers were forced to work daily from 11am to 11pm without any days off. Their movements were strictly controlled, with entrances locked after business hours and keys held solely by management,” he said in a statement today. “This restricted the workers’ freedom and indicated possible elements of exploitation and confinement, consistent with human trafficking offences.”
The premises operated as a restaurant on the ground floor, while the upper floor was converted into living quarters, with six rooms accommodating all workers.
During the raid, police also rescued two Myanmar children, a 17-year-old boy and girl, who were believed to be victims of human trafficking. The rescue was carried out under Section 44 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) following assessment under the National Guidelines on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0.
Christopher added that police seized two mobile phones, padlocks and keys, and several work schedules, which demonstrated that workers were being forced to work without rest or leave.
“The case is being investigated under Section 14 of ATIPSOM 2007 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. All detainees are now held in separate police lock-ups according to category and gender, while the two child victims will be brought to the Ayer Keroh Court to obtain Interim Protection Orders (IPO),” he said.
He emphasised that the police remain committed to combating human trafficking, labour exploitation, and the employment of undocumented foreign workers, particularly involving children and vulnerable groups.
“The public is urged to provide any information related to human trafficking activities to assist investigations,” he added.
