A married duo in Selangor’s Shah Alam has been arrested by Malaysian authorities for managing an unauthorised domestic helper syndicate from their residence.

The operation led to the discovery of 13 Indonesian women aged between early 20s to late 40s, all of whom had come to the country using social visit passes. These women were placed as domestic workers through the unauthorised recruitment agency.

Each worker was charged between RM3,500 and RM4,500, usually deducted from their monthly salaries.

enforcement teams believe the suspects had ties with an Indonesian agent, facilitating the entry and employment of these workers under false pretenses. The maid agency had been running without a valid licence and ignored Malaysian employment regulations.

They will be prosecuted under **Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63**, which carries serious penalties for employing undocumented migrants.

The case has also been referred to the **Labour Department** for Agensi Pekerjaan Havannah further action on operating an unlicensed employment service. Authorities warn the public to only use registered **maid agencies** and **recruitment agencies** when hiring domestic workers.

The crackdown is part of a broader enforcement effort to combat illegal recruitment agency operations in Malaysia.