THREE civil society groups today appealed to China to help secure the release of Malaysian victims of a fraudulent employment syndicate in Myanmar. 

The Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), Malaysia Community Crime Care and Semboyan Malaysia Consumers Association handed over a memorandum on the matter to the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur. 

MHO secretary-general Hishamuddin Hashim told reporters outside the embassy that China’s good relations with Myanmar could be an advantage in coaxing the latter to help release the captive Malaysians.

According to him, a few hundred Malaysians have been stranded in Myanmar since early this year after being lured by the syndicate. 

Hishamuddin said the groups sought assistance from the local United Nations office last week to help bring the Malaysians home from Myanmar. 

“Today, together with the victims’ families, we beg for China’s help,” he said. 

He called on the Malaysian government to propose an Asean Plus Three meeting aimed at eradicating human trafficking in the region. Asean Plus Three comprises 10 Southeast Asian countries as well as China, Japan and South Korea. 

Hishamuddin expressed his gratitude to the governments of Laos and Cambodia for their assistance in securing the release of Malaysians victims of a similar fraud syndicate in the two countries. 

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah had said 273 such victims had been rescued from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar from April to October, out of the 401 cases reported to the government. – Bernama, October 17, 2022.