PUTRAJAYA – The cabinet will discuss at its meeting tomorrow the proposal to set up a special committee at the Asean level to resolve the issue of Malaysians falling victims to job scams abroad, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad.
He said the government viewed the matter seriously and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had instructed him to look into the issue.
“This issue requires the cooperation of all parties and will be discussed (at the cabinet meeting) tomorrow,” he told a press conference after a meeting with the victims’ families and representatives of some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) here today.
The NGO representatives included Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation secretary Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim and Malaysian Community Crime Care president Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
Yesterday, a group of NGOs sent a memorandum to the prime minister to request the government’s assistance and intervention in resolving the issue of Malaysians falling prey to job scams abroad.
According to Wisma Putra, as of yesterday, 43 victims of job scams in Cambodia were rescued, out of 158 reported cases.
When questioned whether the government will restrict the movement of Malaysians to avoid more people becoming victims of job syndicates, Latiff said the government has no right to do so.
“We have no authority to stop Malaysians from travelling, but if you want to travel, inform your family members.
“If you are offered jobs, check the names of the agencies at the embassy of the country you are heading to,” he said.
Meanwhile, Musa, a former inspector-general of police, said he had been in contact with police at the D3 Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Division to obtain more information about the syndicates, and that he hoped the division would also be able to assist investigations and rescue the victims. – Bernama, September 20, 2022
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