KUALA LUMPUR: As the Lunar New Year approaches, DAP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has warned Malaysians to beware of scammers providing jobs abroad.
“There has been a surge in provides and promotions for Malaysians to work abroad for fast cash. This typically includes changing into couriers or transporters for packages or paperwork laden with medication.
“The authorities, significantly the ministries of Home Affairs and Communications, have persistently emphasised the necessity to train warning and keep away from falling sufferer to scams, fraud and drug recruiters.
“But sadly, some Malaysians who’re in dire monetary conditions and too trusting, typically fall prey to those unscrupulous people who’re ready to use them for his or her unlawful actions.”
Kok stated whereas an individual’s innocence or guilt can solely be established in court docket, it’s crucial to make sure accused people have entry to info, authorized counsel and justice, including that the precise to be heard in court docket have to be upheld.
She additionally stated the essential query is whether or not Malaysians detained abroad obtain info and recommendation from our embassies and consular places of work concerning their proper to counsel.
“Are their households instantly notified of their detention? In many instances, households had been unaware of the detention of their family members abroad till after they obtain such info via social media platforms.”
Kok stated a current report highlighted the case of a priest, Father John Wotherspoon, who acts as an middleman between Malaysians and their relations who’ve turn out to be unsuspecting drug mules and are at present held in Hong Kong prisons.
“There was a notable surge in instances involving such Malaysians in 2023. At least 40 had been exploited, which is alarming. One case concerned a 16-year-old woman who was lured into drug trafficking with guarantees of a ticket to Hong Kong and RM2,000 in spending cash.
“Her household had no information on her whereabouts for nearly two months till they obtained a name from Hong Kong Correctional Services.”
She stated questions have arisen about whether or not the Malaysian Consulate General in Hong Kong knew of her whereabouts and the mechanisms for sharing government-to-government info on residents abroad.
“It is crucial to enhance communication and information-sharing between embassies and related authorities,” she stated, including that investigative journalism revealed Malaysian drug mules had been despatched to numerous nations.
“It is essential for embassies to behave swiftly in acquiring up to date info on Malaysians detained abroad. There is a necessity for enhanced communication and information-sharing, which must be prioritised by Wisma Putra.”
She stated in keeping with one report, solely 10% of Malaysian drug mules get caught, which suggests that many extra of them made profitable drug runs.
“Over 430 of them are at present in jail globally, highlighting the magnitude of the problem.”
Kok added that whereas commendable efforts have been made by Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department deputy director DCP Zulkifli Ali to fight drug syndicates, challenges in communication between regulation enforcement businesses throughout a number of nations persists.
She stated the shortage of coordination permits drug syndicates to use gaps in information-sharing, resulting in instances not being pursued within the nation of origin.
Kok stated the Golden Triangle, the place the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand are positioned, poses a major problem within the struggle towards the drug menace, including that with strengthened dedication by the federal government, Malaysia might regularly overcome the malignancy that has gripped the nation for many years.
