Malaysia urged to leverage ASEAN chair to end Cambodia job scam crisis

A MALAYSIAN NGO has urged the government to take a stronger diplomatic stance against scam centres operating in Cambodia, warning that current rescue operations alone are insufficient to tackle what it describes as a persistent and growing regional crisis.

Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim, Secretary-General of the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), said Malaysia must use its current role as ASEAN Chair to push for a coordinated clampdown on fraudulent job syndicates that continue to operate in Cambodia with impunity.

“As long as these centres exist, it’s a never-ending story without a solution,” The Star reported him saying. “We have the rescue efforts, which are part of our standard operating procedures, but they can’t prevent everything. We need a holistic solution, which has been lacking for years.”

Hishamuddin added that while Malaysia has improved its bilateral cooperation with Cambodian authorities—particularly under the country’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act—enforcement remains patchy, and scam hubs continue to function in various locations.

He said Malaysia’s leadership in ASEAN offers a rare opportunity to catalyse change.

“Our Prime Minister should take this opportunity to push for the closure of, or at least a reduction in, scam centres while continuing our rescue SOPs,” he said.

“The world should also join in pressuring Cambodia.”

Rescues with limits: 'Why not save them all?

Citing a recent example, Hishamuddin shared how MHO had provided the Malaysian embassy in Phnom Penh and Cambodian anti-trafficking police with a list of three Malaysians to be rescued.

“When Cambodian police went in to make the rescue, they only took the three people on the list, leaving the other 50-odd people behind.

“It was only months later, after receiving more calls from families, that further rescues were made. Why not rescue all those people once and for all?

“This is our problem. We can only rescue, but we can’t shut these centres down.”

MHO, which has collaborated with international partners since 2016, has helped repatriate **over 400 Malaysians** trapped in scam operations between 2021 and the present. Many had been lured with false promises of high-paying jobs, only to be coerced into cybercrime or subjected to forced labour.

Hishamuddin warned families against paying ransoms.

“Sadly, many families choose to pay ransoms, but we advise against it, as their loved ones may not return. These are scammers,” he said.

He also urged tighter screening at Malaysia’s own borders, especially for individuals travelling to Cambodia without legitimate plans.

“If we can question suspicious foreigners upon entry, why not do the same for Malaysians heading to potentially troubled nations? We need a more comprehensive approach to tackling the job scam crisis,” he added.

Regional crisis draws global response

The Cambodian scam network has prompted action beyond Malaysia. South Korea recently imposed a travel ban to Cambodia, deployed a rescue task force, and repatriated victims—some of whom now face legal proceedings at home. Cambodian authorities have deported several perpetrators, acknowledging the severity of the situation.

Meanwhile, child rights activist Roland Edwards of Be My Protector warned that more young people are falling victim due to “a failure in modern parenting” and the influence of social media.

“Coupled with excessive social media use, this leads youths to pursue high-paying jobs without proper guidance, making them vulnerable to scams,” he said.

He agreed that Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship presents a strategic moment to address the issue regionally.

“However, the Prime Minister should consider bringing it up in a tactful way during the ASEAN summit with the other leaders so we don’t accidentally draw any ire,” he said.

“A clear initial strategy to either bring victims home or crack down on these scam syndicates should also be considered first to better get the ball rolling quickly.”

As trafficking networks grow more sophisticated, activists and NGOs argue that diplomatic pressure and preventive policy reforms must work in tandem to dismantle the infrastructure that allows such abuse to flourish unchecked. - October 21, 2025