KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 — The Home Ministry (KDN), via the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), has received 482 reports as of January 17 this year involving 628 Malaysians who fell victim to job scam syndicates.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said that among them, 15 victims were from Sabah, with 14 having been rescued while one remains stranded abroad.
KDN has implemented comprehensive measures, including strengthening cooperation among domestic and international enforcement agencies.
“PDRM also shares intelligence and data on migrant smuggling and human trafficking syndicates with Interpol and the Travel Control Office for trend analysis and enforcement intervention strategies,” he said during a Special Chamber session in Parliament today.
Shamsul was replying to Tenom MP Riduan Rubin's query on human trafficking through job scam syndicates.
He added that PDRM remains committed to tackling overseas job scam syndicates and ensuring accurate information reaches rural communities. Engagement sessions have been held with Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos to share information and coordinate rescue missions.
Similarly, agencies under the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO), like the Communications Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry, continue to raise public awareness, particularly among young people, about these crimes.
“In 2024, communication initiatives included podcasts, infographics on social media, talk shows, the ‘Youth Preventing Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling’ short video contest, awareness visuals on buses, the Jiwa Komuniti Madani programme for MPs and leaflet distribution,” Shamsul said.
MAPO has also engaged with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad to organise awareness campaigns through exhibition booths and digital displays at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KLIA2.
— Bernama
