Police Arrest Six Men In Butterworth Over Brutal Abuse Of Indonesian Domestic Worker

BUTTERWORTH, Oct 19 – Police have arrested six local men—including a primary suspect—during an evening raid in Butterworth, Penang, on Monday, October 19, 2026, in connection with the severe abuse and burning of an Indonesian woman in Tanjong Sepat, Selangor.

The joint operation was executed at 6:30 PM at a business premises located in Pusat Perniagaan Oren, Jalan Merbau, by a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team from the Selangor Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) with assistance from the Penang IPK CID.

Seberang Perai Utara District Police Chief ACP Anuar Abdul Rahman confirmed that the raid follows an October 16 incident at Jalan Besar Kampung Tumbok, Tanjong Sepat, where the victim suffered severe body burns after allegedly being tortured by her employer.

“The victim has been rescued. Following the incident, police detained six men, including the woman’s employer, to assist in investigations into the case,” ACP Anuar said in a statement on Monday night.

ATIPSOM Probe and Social Media Misinformation

Key operational details and official updates regarding the case include:

• Victim Rescue & Condition: The Indonesian woman was successfully extracted from the premises following the October 16 abuse report and is receiving medical care for severe burn injuries.
• Statutory Investigation: Police are investigating the case under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) [Act 670].
• Viral Murder Rumors Refuted: ACP Anuar dismissed viral social media videos and photos alleging a homicide at Pusat Perniagaan Oren. The heavy police presence was strictly related to the raid and arrest of the six suspects.

Police urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified rumors while multi-state police teams finalize their investigations.

–NMT