139 M’sians stranded abroad due to job scams, Parliament told

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 139 Malaysians remained stranded at various job scam syndicates abroad in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and several other countries, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that this figure covers the period from 2021 to July 4 this year, where the police have received a total of 518 police reports, involving 672 Malaysians who are stranded abroad due to job scams.

“Out of this figure, 533 (79%) individuals were saved, and 139 (21%) are still stranded, especially in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and other countries,” said Saifuddin in a parliamentary written reply on Tuesday (July 29).

Of the 533 Malaysians rescued, 431 (81%) were male, while 102 (19%) were female, said Saifuddin.

Based on age breakdown, Saifuddin said 517 individuals (91%) from those who were rescued are adults above 18-years-old, consisting of 422 males and 95 females.

“The remaining 16 victims (3%) are children below 18-years-old, consisting of nine males and seven females,” added Saifuddin.

According to Saifuddin, Johor has the highest number of rescued victims, with 113 (21.2%) individuals, followed by Selangor’s 112 (21%), and Sarawak’s 92 (17%).

“The Home Ministry is committed to strengthening cooperation between agencies and to expand rescue operations and to raise public awareness so that Malaysians will be protected from being a job scam victim abroad.

“All information, complaints and cooperation with the public, NGOs, diplomatic community and private agencies are much welcomed in our efforts to eliminate job scam syndicates abroad,” added Saifuddin.