Police rescue 72 migrant workers

TANGERANG: The Tangerang Police rescued on Wednesday morning 72 women who had "escaped" from migrant worker recruitment agency PT Anton Bintang Permai in Mahkota Mas shopping complex, Cikokol.

The women -- who hailed from Central Java, East Java and Lampung -- ran away from the office after they tied up migrant worker coordinator Murni.

"We have been here for four months and there have been no signs that we will be sent to Malaysia and Singapore," said Surati.

They said they were fed only poor-quality food and were prohibited from making phone calls.

Police rescued them following a tip from a security guard at the complex, who became suspicious about the activities of the agency.

Tangerang Police chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Asep Adisaputra said they were investigating the company's legality and a possibility that the victims were abused. -- JP