A FORMER MP has lodged a police report over allegations he was involved in scamming 47 Malaysians who were promised jobs in Cambodia, only to find themselves detained.

Sng Chee Hua, the father of Julau lawmaker Larry Sng, said the claims are aimed at tarnishing his reputation as former MP of the same seat.

The 71-year-old, who lodged the report at the Ulu Lanang police station in Sibu, denied he has links to the syndicate that falsely promised the Malaysians well-paying jobs in Cambodia.

The 47 – 40 from Sarawak, three from Sabah and four from the peninsula – were arrested by Cambodian police in Poipet city on December 11 last year.

They were held on charges related to online gambling, but said they had been cheated by an online recruitment agency that promised them employment at hotels with a monthly salary of US$1,200 (RM4,800).

Larry was among the Malaysian officials who held talks with Cambodia to secure the Malaysians’ release. His involvement sparked allegations that his father had asked him to do so, to cover up the alleged wrongdoing.

The Malaysians were freed on Friday, and flew home this afternoon.

Sarawak Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah, who accompanied the Sarawakians and Sabahans on a chartered flight from Siem Reap to Kuching, described the “bungalows” where the Malaysians were kept as being akin to a prison.

She said the bungalows were surrounded by barbwire, with “heavy grilles” on the windows.

She said each unit has just one entrance, with the door locked from the outside.

Santubong MP Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who was part of the entourage of Malaysian officials, said the Banteay Meanchey provincial jail where the 47 were detained for more than two months is “even better” than the bungalows.

“At the jail, they could at least see the sky. Not at the bungalows.” – February 17, 2019.