SEPANG, Malaysia — An additional 21 Malaysians rescued from human traffickers in Cambodia and Laos returned home, as the government intensified efforts to locate scam victims reported missing abroad.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, who met some of the returning victims at Kuala Lumpur’s airport, said the government has now managed to rescue 273 people out of 401 reported missing in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Most have returned except for 60 individuals who are still in immigration detention centers waiting to be processed, he said at a news conference.

Saifuddin said Malaysian authorities, in cooperation with their counterparts in the countries concerned, were actively tracking another 128 victims of the job scam syndicates.

“We have intensified our efforts by collaborating with the authorities from the countries concerned to track down the others, (while) those who have been rescued and, after (completing) the countries’ legal processes, will be brought home as soon as possible”

“As a nation that respects the law, we must accept and allow those countries involved to carry out the necessary processes,” he said.

He said most of the victims are in their 20s and further advises all fellow Malaysians to be wary of lucrative job offers abroad. Check and verify whether the company is legitimate or not and do not travel without the proper information.

Saifuddin, meanwhile, advised victims who had been abused and so on to lodge police reports in the countries concerned to facilitate the police there to carry out investigations.

"My advice is that we must be very careful if making any statements regarding such issues, the best is that if we have information to give it to the police because that is more useful.

"This is also because we are concerned that if the statements are made, could interfere with police investigations and, if the words used are misinterpreted, they could affect the diplomatic ties between Malaysia and the country concerned,” he said.

The Malaysian government would once again like to express its appreciation to the Cambodia and Laos government for their cooperation and commitment in helping to locate and save the Malaysian citizens who are victims of this syndicate.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah also mentioned that the Malaysia Government and special committee will work closely with other neighbouring countries on this issue.