JOHOR BARU: Police arrested a 67-year-old man for allegedly exploiting two foreigners with disabilities in a house along Jalan Temenggong 3, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah here, yesterday.
The two Chinese nationals, a man, 39, and a woman, 36, both with disabilities were rescued in the operation, following a tip-off.
Johor Baru (North) police chief Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh said the suspect was arrested at a house along Jalan Perkasa 5, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Skudai at 10.50pm on Sunday.
He then led police to another premise in the housing estate, where both migrants were rescued.
Balveer said the suspect was believed to have played the role of a transporter in the suspected human trafficking syndicate's operations.
He allegedly ferried the foreigners from the house to night markets and eateries in the state capital, where they were forced to beg.
Police investigations revealed that the syndicate has been operating since November, while the victims were coerced to use their disabilities for empathy, earning up to RM150 daily.
Police seized a smartphone, a public transport driver's card, a car, a set of house and car keys.
The suspect was remanded for five days, while an interim protection order under Section 44(2) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) was sought for the victims. They were placed in a shelter pending further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 12 of ATIPSOM 2007, which carries a jail term of up to 15 years, a fine, or both upon conviction.