THE proposed setting up of a special committee at the Asean level will be among the approaches to be discussed by the cabinet at its meeting tomorrow to resolve the issue of Malaysians falling victim to job scams abroad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said.

He said the government viewed seriously the matter and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had instructed him to look into it.

“Addressing issue requires the cooperation of all parties and it will be discussed (at the cabinet meeting) tomorrow,” he told a press conference after a meeting with the families of job scam victims and representatives of several civil society groups today.

The representatives included Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation secretary Hishamuddin Hashim and Malaysian Community Crime Care president Musa Hassan.

Yesterday, a collection of civil society groups sent a memorandum to the prime minister to request the government’s assistance and intervention in resolving the issue of Malaysians falling prey to job scams abroad.

According to Wisma Putra, as of yesterday, 43 victims of job scams in Cambodia have been rescued, out of 158 reported cases.

When questioned whether the government will restrict the movement of Malaysians to avoid more people becoming victims of job syndicates, Latiff said the government does not have the right to do so.

“We have no authority to stop Malaysians from travelling, but if you want to travel, inform your family members.

“If you are offered jobs, check the names of the agencies at the embassy of the country you are heading to,” he said.

Meanwhile, Musa, who is a former inspector-general of police, said he had been in contact with the police at the D3 Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Division (Atipsom) to obtain more information about job scam syndicates and hoped that the division would also be able to assist in investigations and rescue victims. – Bernama, September 20, 2022.