The Malaysian government will be applying for an extradition order to seek the return of three main suspects in the human trafficking case in Wang Kelian, Perlis in 2015 to be tried here.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the three suspects were the masterminds in the case and were not mere assistants as claimed.

“The three are now in jail in Thailand and we are in the process of obtaining the extradition order to bring them back quickly for trial in Malaysia.

“We have also sent a letter through Wisma Putra and we have met several conditions for the purpose,” he said when visiting the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) integrated project site in Bukit Kayu Hitam today.

Also present were Deputy Defence Minister Mohd Johari Baharum and Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also home minister, said intelligence gathered showed the suspects were the real culprits and rejected allegations that there were at least 10 primary suspects involved in the issue concerned.

“After discussing with the Thai government and the minister responsible, we confirmed only three people were involved,” he said.

On May 2015, the inspector-general of police had announced the discovery of more than 130 graves in 28 temporary camps of a human trafficking syndicate in Wang Kelian.

Commenting on the issue, Ahmad Zahid said the government was highly committed to protecting the sovereignty of the country and would go all out to combat this serious issue.

-- Bernama