KUANTAN – Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah confirmed today that 16 Malaysians have been detained by the Cambodian authorities and are now at a police station in Phnom Penh for investigations.
Saifuddin said that all 16 individuals were currently in good condition, but did not elaborate on personal details and the reasons behind their detention.
“Our officer over there has gone to the police station to meet them. We will continue to monitor the latest developments and will assist them if they require lawyers or other aid,” he told reporters after officiating the 42nd Kuantan Hindu Sanggam Association annual general meeting at the association’s office here today.
On whether those detained were part of a group of job scam victims highlighted by the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department in a media conference on Wednesday, the Indera Mahkota MP said that this had not been determined yet.
He did, however, advise Malaysians to be careful when taking up job offers from foreign countries and to not be easily influenced by high paying job offers, and to check with the Foreign Ministry or the country’s Malaysia Representative Office (Malawakil).
“Also check your work visa and passport to ensure that they fulfil all required regulations…and if there is any doubt upon arrival in the country, we ask that you contact Malawakil immediately. It is very crucial to avoid any problems that might arise in the future,” he said.
In other developments, Saifuddin asked Malaysians who were stranded or facing issues in Thailand due to the enforcement of the Movement Control Order previously to contact the Malaysian consul-general’s office in Songkhla immediately.
“We do not deny there might be a number of others who still cannot contact the consul-general’s office and we hope they will do so immediately so that appropriate assistance can be provided to enable them to return home,” he said.
Saifuddin also denied allegations that there were 10,000 Malaysians who were considered as illegal immigrants in Thailand as the consul-general’s records stated that 2,439 Malaysians who wanted to return home have already been given aid.
Records also state that until now, there are only 72 Malaysians registered with the consul-general’s office and holding border passes, and they are part of the 444 Malaysians who have registered themselves with the office. – Bernama, April 9, 2022
