Wan Junaidi: Malaysians not mastermind in human trafficking


Investigators removing the remains from the graves site on Thursday night

SIK: Malaysians are not the masterminds although they might be involved in the human trafficking activities at the border, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

“They might have knowledge of the trafficking activities and could be accomplices but they are not the organisers,” Wan Junaidi said at the Belantik Immigration Detention Depot.

He described the modus operandi of the human trafficking syndicate to that of 17th century African slavery in the America.

“Like human beings exported to the US back then, that is exactly what is happening here and it has to be an international solution to this,” he told a press conference.

On the detainees housed in Belantik, Wan Junaidi said the government spends RM18,642 a day on food four times a day on the 2,868 foreigners. 

The Belantik depot has a capacity of 1,000 but now accomodates 1,107 Rohingyas who arrived in Langkawi a few weeks ago.

On the issue of the stateless Rohingyas, Wan Junaidi said a lot of political talk were going on but the process of repatriation of the migrants has been slow.

"It is not easy to do that and Myanmar won’t work with us.

“I have been meeting their ambassadors and it was difficult to discuss with them. They limit the talk on this,” said Wan Junaidi who earlier went to Wang Kelian, Perlis to check on the exhumation work of the mass graves.


The Star Festive Promo: Get 35% OFF Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Body of drowned Chinese national found
All govt agencies mobilised to assist flood victims in Sabah, says Zahid
Three more suspended in HRD Corp governance reset
Penang's esplanade seawall, promenade project wins Unesco heritage award
DAP’s pledge to back unity govt key to stability, says Fuziah
Malaysia weighs Impact of US tariff ruling, says Johari
Urgent action needed to combat synthetic drug abuse among students, says Lee Lam Thye
Scheduled water rationing in Kluang, Pontian ends
Chinese national feared drowned in Langkawi
Make mosques centres of unity, not exclusive domain of any group, says Pahang Sultan

Others Also Read