'Can't stop locals going to Cambodia, be wary of high salary offers'
This followed multiple cases of Malaysians who were allegedly duped by syndicates offering high-paying jobs in Cambodia and suffered from harrowing confinement and torture.
Khairul said he instructed his officers to...
Immigration Department director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud urged Malaysians to be “extra alert” if they receive promising job offers overseas.
This followed multiple cases of Malaysians who were allegedly duped by syndicates offering high-paying jobs in Cambodia and suffered from harrowing confinement and torture.
Khairul said he instructed his officers to “come up with some sort of advice” to the public so they will be cautious of any job offers with enticing salaries.
However, he admitted the authorities have no right to stop Malaysians from going overseas as long as they were not blacklisted by any government agencies.
“If they do not have any criminal records or have never been banned from leaving the country, then the Immigration Department cannot stop them.
“Whether they will be scam victims, that is out of the Immigration Department’s purview,” said Khairul at a press conference in Putrajaya this evening.
On Aug 6, two Malaysians shared how they were brought to a “compound” which turned out to be an operation run by ruthless Chinese scam syndicates.
One of the victims, Mah, who shared his story during a press conference (above) at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, said he was sold from one syndicate to another five times.
He said he witnessed some victims who killed themselves in despair and also heard rumours of female victims being sexually assaulted.
‘Inhumane’ immigration depot
Meanwhile, Khairul did not respond directly when asked about the “inhumane ordeal” faced by Singaporean and Chinese nationals at the Pekan Nanas immigration depot in Johor.
He only stressed that any foreigners arrested by the authorities should be ready to face the consequences.
“For every foreigner who enters Malaysia, they should abide by the Malaysian and immigration law.
“If they were arrested, then they would have to face the consequences,” he said briefly.
Malaysiakini reported that the Chinese nationals, who are now back home, claimed that necessities such as soap or bath towels at the immigration depot could cost up to RM100. Food items, they said, were just as expensive.
The former detainees alleged that the goods were acquired from an immigration officer referred to as the “boss” of their detention bloc and payments were made to a bank account under a different name than that of the officer.
Following the articles, a retired Singaporean national also revealed his ordeal at the Pekan Nanas immigration depot when he was detained for five weeks in 2018.
He claimed he witnessed how an ailing detainee was not given prompt medical attention, which he believed led to their death.
On another matter, Khairul declined to comment on the issue of a viral video which depicted a Malaysian woman performing the umrah dressed in clothing meant for men.
He said the issue is not under his department’s purview.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.