Memo Proposed To PM Regarding Job Scams, Cabinet To Discuss Issue & Set Up Special Committee

By Quinny Tan  •  20 Sep 2022 in News

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There has been an influx of job scams with Malaysians ending up in torturous situations over the past year. Some were allegedly force-fed mice by their captors, others never made it back and passed away at the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Needless to say, these reports need to stop.

It was just announced today that the cabinet will discuss approaches to resolve the issue of Malaysians falling victims to job scams abroad, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.

According to news reports, he said that the measures being considered for discussion at the meeting tomorrow include a proposal to set up a special committee at the ASEAN level to address the matter.

Yesterday, a support group submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister and urged the government to tighten regulations for job seekers below the age of 40 who travel to high-risk countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) proposed a partnership between Wisma Putra and the home ministry to ensure that the proper procedures of approval are to be done to vet registered companies that source workers from Malaysia.

Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff said that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri has since instructed him to look into the matter.

He confirmed that the government will not restrict any movement of Malaysians to avoid more victims on job scams, because they have to right to do so.

However, he warned the public to check the name of the agency at the embassy of their respective countries, should they receive a job opportunity outside of Malaysia.

Officially, 238 Malaysians have fallen victim to job scam syndicates as of last month, with the police stating that 168 people are still stranded abroad.

Yesterday, Wisma Putra stated that 43 victims of job scams in Cambodia were rescued, out of 158 reported cases.

Too many lives have suffered due to these job scams. Let us all hope that the appropriate action decided by the cabinet will put this to an end.