PONTIAN, MALAYSIA: A prostitution ring catering to factory workers was busted with the arrests of three Indonesian women and seven foreign clients at a house in Pekan Nenas.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by C/Insp Tha Na Sak raided the house, which had been transformed into a brothel, at about 8.30pm on Sunday.

They arrested the prostitutes, in their 20s, and their clients, six Nepalese and Bangladeshi factory workers aged between 20 and 30.

It is believed that five other clients were waiting for their turn when the raid occurred.

Pontian OCPD Supt Zahaliman Jamin said initial investigations revealed that the syndicate had been in operation for just a few weeks.

"We believe the prostitutes are catering to foreign workers due to the close proximity of several factories to the brothel.

"The prostitutes are from Medan, Tanjung Balai and Batam and we also seized several condoms during the raid," he said, adding that the prostitutes entered the country with valid passports and social visit passes.

Supt Zahaliman said those arrested have since been remanded until March 20.

In an unrelated incident, a 26-year-old factory worker, believed to be involved in over five snatch theft cases, was arrested after police raided his home in Taman Saujana here.

Supt Zahaliman said the suspect was arrested at about 10.40pm on Sunday. Several stolen items, including jewellery, were also seized.