TANAH RATA, Feb 13 — Farmers in Cameron Highlands denied claims they have been arranging for sex workers to be sent to their foreign workers.

They were puzzled over how such issue could have cropped up, saying such activities could never stay under wraps for long in the highlands’ close-knit community.

Farming industry veteran Cheng Nam Heong said a red-light establishment had existed in the area but was closed down two to three years ago.

“I did hear about a prostitution den at a shoplot in Ringlet in 2012 or 2013 but it was closed after less than six months following complaints to the police,” he said yesterday.

“There were supposedly customers lining up around the block at the premises, which drew too much attention. People began talking and they began sending the women from Thailand and Bangladesh to the farms — like a fast-food delivery service — to avoid detection.”

Cheng, who sells farming supplies and produce, denied claims the farmers were involved.

“As far as I know, the person who started the business wasn’t even a local, so it has nothing to do with us,” he said.

“We pay the workers to do their jobs and what they do after working hours is their business. Maybe a farmer would have told his workers there was a seedy establishment in town but that’s it.

“This is a small town. If anything like this happens, everyone would know about it. We have an image as a tourist destination and we are not going to damage that.”

The issue of farmers turning to prostitutes to help lure foreign labourers was reported in a news portal, which said farmers used the sex workers to lure labourers to work for them.

Yesterday, Malay Mail was brought to the shoplot where the den was believed to be located, and found no sign of its alleged nefarious past.

There were no signboards or posters and the shoplot was unoccupied.

Other farmers said they already had enough problems to deal with.

“The price of vegetables has dropped and we are already struggling with our business after losing some of our workers,” said a farmer, who identified himself as Tan.

“I don’t know why we are being blamed for this. We have been trying to make a living from growing produce for years and that’s all we do.”

Another farmer, known as Yau, said many farmers in Cameron Highlands had become wary of speaking to the media, fearing that the issue would be blamed on them.

“If they (labourers) took part in such activities excessively, they might be fatigued or catch diseases. Why would we want that?” he asked.

Cameron Highlands OCPD Deputy Supt Wan Zahari Wan Busu said they had not received any reports of such activities conducted by farmers or any other parties.

“The public can be assured we will take immediate action if we find any incidences of such businesses in Cameron Highlands,” he said.