Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today confirmed Malaysian suspects involved in human trafficking syndicate in Wang Kelian forest in Perlis have been arrested.

However, when asked how many arrests and warrants are for Malaysian citizens, Zahid did not answer, saying he preferred to keep it low-key.

“There are arrest warrants which have been served. Not only that, arrests have also been made.

“I don’t have to make a big issue about the number (of arrests). (But) it is a number that is reasonable, based on the reports and investigations which we have carried out,” he said.

Zahid said this at a press conference for a buka puasa (breaking of fast) programme with 200 orphans from his Bagan Datoh constituency at the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur.

Before this, Thai authorities have handed over a few key suspects allegedly involved in large-scale trafficking of humans into Malaysia.

However an individual named ‘Yassin’, said to be an influential person in the syndicate, is still out at large.

Zahid said an extradition request has been made to enable Yassin to be charged once the suspect is brought into the country.

“An extradition (request) has been made; we are working on it and will charge Yassin once he is brought to Malaysia,” he added.

According to Bernama , authorities discovered 139 graves in 28 transit camps, reportedly built by human trafficking syndicates along the Malaysia-Thailand border in Wang Kelian, Perlis, in late may.

The national news agency reported that a total of 106 bodies have been found to date.