SUNGAI SIPUT, Feb 28 — Perak police said they have evidence of children being used as forced labour believed by a human trafficking syndicate in Pengkalan Hulu, Gerik detected on Sunday.
Perak Police acting chief Datuk Hasnan Hassan said it was based on information received and thorough investigations carried out by the police on the case.
“But we cannot disclose more details on the investigations to protect the safety of the informant,” he told reporters after the handing over of duties relating to the Sungai Siput District Police chief here today.
At the event, Perak Police Standard Compliance and Integrity Department head Supt Abd Fatah Abd Rahman was appointed as the new Sungai Siput District Police chief effective today to replace Supt Abdul Aziz Ahmad who is on mandatory retirement.
Abd Fatah, 55, who served 32 years in the police force, had worked in the Special Branch, Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) and Management Department’s Administrative Division.
On Feb 26, police rescued 18 locals including five children believed to be victims of a human trafficking syndicate in an operation in Kecil Kroh, Belukar Semang, Kampung Tasek near Pengkalan Hulu.
A married couple, aged 43 and 24 years, believed to be the mastermind of the human trafficking syndicate, were remanded for six days from Sunday.
Meanwhile all the victims received temporary protection order from yesterday until March 19 and they are placed in shelters in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan; Subang Jaya, Selangor; Johor Bahru and Tanjung Keling, Melaka. — Bernama
