A woman allegedly forced her 14-year-old daughter into prostitution to settle the former's 'mounting debts' in Limbang.

Initial police investigations revealed the victim, school dropout who worked as a waitress at a karaoke lounge in Lawas was forced to offer sex to a man since April.

For her 'services', the girl was paid a sum of money via a karaoke lounge owner whereby, part of the money was handed over to the victim's mother.

Sarawak CID chief Datuk Dev Kumar said since April, the teenager was forced to sleep with the man in return for money on three occasions.

He said following the victim's report at the Lawas police station this morning, the police arrested her 30-year-old mother.

"Four hours later about 3pm, the police nabbed a 45-year-old karaoke lounge owner in Jalan Haji Matussin, Lawas," he added in a statement.

Kumar said the police were in the midst of identifying and tracking down the man for allegedly raping the teenager.

He said the two women would be taken to the Lawas District Office tomorrow morning to obtain a remand order for investigations under section 376 of the Penal Code and section 43 (1) (a)

"We believe the victim worked as a waitress at the karaoke lounge in Lawas and was forced by her mother and the karaoke owner to have sex with the man.

"According to villagers, her mother had serious money problems from her many debts," added the CID chief.

-- BERNAMA