M’sians under 40 shouldn’t work in these three countries, MHO tells govt

PUTRAJAYA – The government has been urged to temporarily impose travel restrictions on Malaysians aged 40 and under to find work in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. 

Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said this matter has to be taken seriously to prevent more citizens from being stranded in foreign countries as a result of job scam syndicates and forced to do “illegal work”. 

He added that MHO received complaints from certain quarters, including victims’ family members about employment fraud involving syndicates in those three Southeast Asian countries.

In fact, he said, the syndicates used the modus operandi of wanting “new faces” as guarantee to replace Malaysians who are stranded there, before allowing them to return to home. 

“This syndicate, if you (stranded victims) want to return, they have to bring about five (new) victims there,” he told press members at the Foreign Affairs Ministry after handing over a memorandum urging the government to take immediate actions.  

“I ask the Immigration Department director-general to stop Malaysians aged 40 and below from going to Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia for the time being so we can save those who are stranded and would become victims of fraud. 

“The travels of Malaysians should also be restricted if they (companies allegedly offering jobs) do not have proof of salary or are not listed with the Home Affairs Ministry.” 

He also called on the government to adopt measures practised by Taiwan and neighbouring Indonesia which prevents their citizens from falling victim to such syndicates. 

Meanwhile, he urged the country to utilise platforms such as Asean conference to deliberate issues which could endanger the safety and “claim lives” of local citizens in foreign countries. 

If the effort is not realised or if only normal steps and channels are being used, he said, the syndicates are likely to be more widespread and the culprits would be more daring, thus worsening the situation.  

“Put pressure on leaders of the said countries through Asean because the syndicates there are protected by the authorities. 

“Everyone already knows this secret and how long it will take for it to be solved. We can’t possibly wait for Malaysians to be killed before any actions are being taken. 

“They are part of Keluarga Malaysia, like our own family. This issue needs the cooperation of all parties because it involves our people being detained and tortured. The government needs to use all available mechanisms to help the victims’ families to solve the problems.” 

From what was disclosed by the victims’ families, Hishamuddin said the victims were deceived by the syndicate with promises and modus operandi, including offering a good salary. 

“When they are there, these people are forced to work, threatened and tortured by the syndicates, When they want to go home, they have to pay about RM70,000 to RM100,000 to be released. 

“Some of the victims there are believed to have been ‘resold’ to other agents or companies, and some even sell them from one country to another.  

“They are forced to do illegal work such as involving in scam activities, online gambling and are threatened, beaten and sold if they do not reach the set targets,” he said. – The Vibes, September 9, 2022