KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department arrested a married couple who were running an illegal maid agency from their home in Shah Alam.
Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the couple, who hold "Datuk" and "Datin" titles and are aged 66 and 56, respectively, were detained during a raid on the house on Feb 16.
The raid, he said, was based on information received from the public as well as the department's intelligence work.
"Also detained were 13 Indonesian women aged between 22 and 47. Initial investigations showed they had entered the country on the pretext of being tourists using social visit passes.
"The couple's house was being used as a home for the Indonesian women," he said.
Khairul Dzaimee said the women would be supplied as maids or cleaners and the couple would receive between RM3,500 and RM4,500 per person, which would later be deducted from the women's salaries.
"It is believed that this couple managed the illegal entry and supply of maids by working closely with an agent from Indonesia," he said.
Khairul Dzaimee said the couple were being investigated under Section 55E of the Immigration Act for allegedly allowing Illegal Immigrants to enter or stay in premises that they own or have an interest in as supervisors or manage any such premises.
"Meanwhile, all the foreigners were detained for having committed offences under the Immigration Act and under the Immigration Regulations 1963.
"We will also refer the case to the Labour Department under the Human Resources Ministry since the recruitment and supply of workers had been carried out without a valid licence.
"The immigration Department constantly monitors activities such as these where foreign maids and daily cleaning workers services are offered illegally on social media.
"We urge them to be careful and to follow the rules and regulations set by the relevant authorities when engaging in foreigners employment relates matters," he said.