KATHMANDU: Eleven Nepalis, including two women, have been arrested in Malaysia in suspicion of their involvement in organised crimes, including robberies and extortion of fellow Nepali migrant workers in the name of protection fee.

They are aged between 22 and 36, and did not possess valid travel documents, local media reported.

They were reportedly arrested in twin raids in Juru and Taman Perwira of Bukit Mertajam in Central Seberang Perai after Wednesday midnight.

"The group leader, aged 36, who lived in Kuala Lumpur, is believed to be here to get the protection money collected by the gang members," Malaysia's national news agency Bernama quoted Seberang Perai Tengah police chief ACP Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid as saying.

Police investigations reportedly revealed that the triad gang, known as 'Penang Young Star Gang' had been actively recruiting members to extort Nepali migrant workers of a RM25 monthly protection fee, over the past year. Thousands of Nepalis work in Malaysia.

"All suspects also have multiple tattoos on their bodies, including one special tattoo that identifies them as a gang member. The group also has a special ceremony for their members and one of the houses raided was a place to recruit new members," Azhan said.

"During the raids in the two houses, we also seized several flags and other equipment, used for ritual activities, to initiate new gang members,” The Star Online quoted the same official as saying.

Police said they were looking for nine other members of the gang.