Job scam syndicate issue to be raised in cabinet - minister

 

The issue of Malaysians falling victim to job scam syndicates abroad will be raised in the cabinet tomorrow, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Abdul Latiff Ahmad.

He said the government takes the issue seriously as it involves the slavery of Malaysians across several countries.

“Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has instructed me to look into the issue more deeply,” Abdul Latiff (above) said during a press conference on the job scam issue in Putrajaya today.

He expressed gratitude to parties who raised the issue including NGOs led by Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) adviser Musa Hassan and MHO secretary-general Hishamuddin Hashim.

Musa is also a former inspector-general of police.

“We felt called to bring the issue to the cabinet,” the minister said.

In a memorandum submitted to the government on Sept 9, the group called for government intervention in the job scam issue.

The group suggested that Putrajaya use the Asean platform as a diplomatic solution to tackle issues related to Malaysians being the victims of overseas job scam syndicates.

Abdul Latiff said the government, via the Foreign Affairs Ministry, has worked on the issue with some countries but it has encountered problems working with its Myanmar counterpart.

He did not divulge further details on specific challenges faced by Wisma Putra.

“It is most difficult in Myanmar,” he said briefly.

Check job legitimacy, inform family

A job scam syndicate involving Malaysians was detected in Myawaddy, a town in southeastern Myanmar, close to the border with Thailand.

“It is better for the people to inform their parents and relatives of their purpose of travelling abroad in the future.

“There is usually a push and pull factor. So we have no specific reason to stop Malaysians from travelling,” said the Mersing MP.

He suggested Malaysians check with the relevant agencies under the respective embassies on the legitimacy of jobs offered by employers.

Royal Malaysia Police secretary Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin on Aug 19 said 238 Malaysians have fallen victim to overseas job scam syndicates, with 168 people still stranded abroad.

The victims were mostly deceived by advertisements posted on Facebook promising them career opportunities as customer service officers abroad with good pay.

They were enticed to contact agents through WeChat, WhatsApp, and Messenger applications, who would then promise that their travel expenses would be taken care of.

However, upon arrival at the destination, all travel documents and phones were confiscated and destroyed and they would be locked up and eventually forced to work for syndicates involved in online gambling, investments, and love scams, among others. - Mkini