Malaysia, as the Chair of ASEAN this year, will continue to focus on addressing the issue of job scam syndicates across Southeast Asia, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Mohamad Alamin.
The issue was initially discussed at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held recently in Langkawi, Kedah. Mohamad highlighted that Malaysia would raise the topic throughout its tenure as ASEAN Chair, with plans to intensify collaboration among ASEAN member states through the ASEAN Chiefs of Police (ASEANAPOL).
“The issue of job fraud will be a continuing focus during our ASEAN Chairmanship,” he said, adding that the problem will be a key point of discussion as Malaysia works on solutions to combat the job fraud syndicates in the region.
He explained that the matter was previously brought up in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, and Vientiane, Laos, with further efforts planned this year. “We will continue to address this issue and seek effective solutions to eradicate job fraud in Southeast Asia,” he added.
Responding to a question raised by Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa Mohd (BN-Tampin), Mohamad elaborated on ASEAN’s collective efforts to tackle the issue, including Myanmar’s handover of 320 foreign nationals, including Malaysians, who were trapped in a job fraud syndicate within Myanmar.
“These victims were placed in Thailand through the National Referral Mechanism for identification and verification of their involvement,” he said. “Once the process is completed, the victims will be repatriated to their respective countries, including Malaysia.”
