ALL 47 Malaysians detained at the Banteay Meanchey provincial prison were freed this evening.

This followed several rounds of discussions between the Cambodian and Malaysian governments, said International Non-Governmental Organisation head Dr Mustapha Ahmad Marican.

He said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen approved the release of the Malaysians after finding that they had been scammed.

“Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Oknha Othsman Hassan said they studied the matter and found that the Malaysian detainees had been cheated by a job agency syndicate.

“They also took into account the long-standing diplomatic ties between the nations,” he told Bernama today.

Wisma Putra last week confirmed that the 47 Malaysians had been detained in Cambodia since December 11 last year on charges of cheating, and initiating and carrying out illegal online gambling.

Dr Mustapha said apart from Wisma Putra officials, Sarawak leaders, too, were in Cambodia in the last few days to discuss the detainees’ release.

Meanwhile, Wisma Putra confirmed that all 47 Malaysians detained in Cambodia have been released.

They were released at 6.30pm Cambodian time, it said in a statement today.

It extended the Malaysian governments4’s thanks to Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, who is also foreign and international cooperation minister, for the personal attention given on the matter.

“Malaysia would also like to extend its appreciation to the senior minister of special mission, interior minister, justice minister as well as all relevant Cambodian authorities in extending their cooperation for the release of the 47 Malaysians,” it said.

Wisma Putra said it will also handle the process of bringing the 47 Malaysians back to Malaysia.

Dr Mustapha said he was told that Wisma Putra officials were on their way to Banteay Meanchey to handle the detainees’ documentation process.

He said the detainees were also treated to rice soup, a Cambodian speciality, at a restaurant in Banteay Meanchey town.

“They are very happy tonight and thankful for all the efforts taken to free them. This is their most special treat since being detained, and they can’t wait to see their families.

“We are still awaiting the arrival of Wisma Putra officials to handle the process to take them home. They have been put up at a hotel tonight,” he said.

Mustapha, who has lived in Cambodia for 20 years, also thanked the Cambodian government, especially Oknha, for their help in freeing the detainees.

“I used all my experience of having lived here to help them. My intentions are sincere,” he said.

It was reported that Zunita Sedini, the mother of Yusof Islam, who was one of the detainees, said the Malaysians had been promised jobs with salaries of up to US$1,500 (RM6,100).

She said they found out they had been duped only upon arriving in Cambodia. – Bernama, February 15, 2019.