KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA: Seven foreign women, aged between 19 and 24, who were forced into the flesh trade have been rescued by police. They were kept in a double-storey house in the suburbs of Tawau.

"We received a tip-off that the women were being locked up in the house and were forced into prostitution," state CID chief Sr Asst Comm II Zainal Abidin Kasim said yesterday.

Three men, aged between 21 and 30, and a 24-year-old woman, all foreigners, were detained during the the raid for questioning.

SAC Zainal said a Proton Wira, which was used to ferry the victims to their clients, was also seized during the raid earlier this week.

The suspects have been remanded under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act 2007 while the women have been placed under Interim Protection Order at an undisclosed place.

Those convicted under the Act can face up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine.

SAC Zainal said so far this year, police have solved six similar cases in four districts and rescued 26 women.

Nine women were rescued in Kota Kinabalu, five in Labuan, nine in Tawau and three in Beluran, he said.

SAC Zainal urged members of the public to inform the police on suspected syndicates exploiting women for immoral activities.