Cambodians forced to beg in pasar malam, given target of RM100 a day
FAISAL ASYRAFSeptember 4, 2016
KUALA LUMPUR: Police busted a human-trafficking syndicate and rescued 17 Cambodians, including two babies, in a raid at a house in Prima Damansara.
The victims, aged between one-year-old and 60, were being used as beggars in pasar malam (night markets) around here and Selangor.
Federal Secret Societies, Gambling and Vice Division (D7) principal assistant director Senior Assistant Commissioner Rohaimi Md Isa said police have arrested three Cambodians including a woman and a local man.
Rohaimi said that on Friday, police unit inspected a night market at Taman Bukit Kuchai following a tip-off from non-governmental organisation Tenaganita, who claimed that foreign beggars were being exploited by a human-trafficking syndicate there.
"A probe on a 23-year old Cambodian beggar, who identified himself as Perin, revealed that he was smuggled into Malaysia via a land route in May this year.
"He said a Cambodian woman monitored his movements and forced him to beg for money at the night market every day.
"He said he needed to collect at least RM100 a day. If he failed, he would be beaten. All the money was handed over to the guardian. He was only given accomodation and meals."
Following information given by Perin, police raided a house along Jalan PJU 10/9 at Prima Damansara, on Saturday.
During their observation, police saw two taxis picking up seven women and five children, including two babies, near the house.
Police rounded them up. Further checks in the house unearthed the remaining victims.
Police confiscated two taxis, RM360 in cash, a bag, six handphones, and two stacks of keys.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims were smuggled in via a land route in a northern state.
The case is being investigated under Section 12 of Anti-Trafficking in Person And Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) 2007 for human trafficking
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