Its state director Roslan Bahari said the maid is now housed at a shelter in Kuala Lumpur while awaiting deportation to her country of origin.

He said the woman, aged 40, was believed to be a victim of exploitation and forced labour.

Roslan told Bernama they went to a house in Port Dickson on Monday and rescued her at 9.30pm following a complaint from the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

She had been working at the residence for the past six months.

Roslan said the victim was allegedly not paid her salary for November and December 2022. This was supposed to reimburse the cost of bringing her into the country.

The employer only paid full wages from January this year.

“Our investigation has shown signs of forced labour as the woman was not allowed to go out and was forced to work 16 hours a day. Her work permit was delayed to prevent her from running away.

“The victim was also not allowed to fast or pray. She was forced to eat non-halal meat.”

Roslan said the victim also claimed that she had to work not only at the employer’s home but also at nearby houses.

Her passport was kept by her employer.

The 47-year-old employer, who resides in Kuala Lumpur, was summoned to assist in the investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007 (Amendment 2022).