Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said 13 Indonesian women, aged 22 to 47, were also arrested together with the duo for committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/1963.

He added that the enforcement team raided the couple’s home in Shah Alam on Feb 16 after receiving a tip-off from the public.

Khairul said the 66-year-old man, who has a “Datuk” title, and his wife, 56, worked with an agent in Indonesia to bring in maids illegally into Malaysia.

He added that the maids would enter Malaysia as tourists on a social visit pass and subsequently stayed at the couple’s house.

“The couple charged these Indonesians a processing fee of between RM3,500 and RM4,500. They would collect the sum in instalments by deducting it from their monthly salaries,” he said in a statement.

“The Indonesians would then be supplied as cleaners and maids on a daily basis.”

Khairul said the couple are being investigated under Section 55E of the Immigration Act.