KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has assured that Putrajaya will work to rescue all Malaysian job scam victims who are stranded abroad.
Ismail Sabri said that the government is putting serious efforts into recovering locals currently held by syndicates in neighbouring countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia.
“Attempts are underway through every existing channel. The government will make sure that they (victims) are brought home safely,” he said in a statement today.
He also advised the public to remain cautious and wary of job offers overseas, urging citizens should check the validity of such offers through Wisma Putra to avoid becoming victims to fake job syndicates.
Earlier today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad said that the cabinet will discuss the matter at its weekly meeting tomorrow.
The cabinet will also look into a proposal to set up a special committee at the Asean level to resolve the issue of Malaysians falling for job scams abroad.
Abdul Latiff had met with victims’ families and representatives of some non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The NGO representatives included Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation secretary Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim and Malaysian Community Crime Care president Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
It was also reported today that a total of 148 victims of job scams in Cambodia have been rescued out of 158 reported cases, while a total of 12 victims in Thailand are being tracked down as well as 28 and 54 Malaysians in Laos and Myanmar respectively. – The Vibes, September 20, 2022
