KUALA LUMPUR: Three Malaysian NGOs appealed to China on Monday (Oct 17) to help secure the release of the Malaysian victims of a fraud employment syndicate in Myanmar.
The Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), Malaysia Community Crime Care (MCCC) and Semboyan Malaysia Consumers Association (PPSM) handed over a memorandum on the matter to the Embassy of China here.
MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim (pic) 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 NGOs had sought the assistance of the United Nations’ Office here last week to help bring back the Malaysians 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 the 10 Asean countries as well as China, Japan and South Korea.
Hishamuddin also 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 Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah had said that 273 such victims had been rescued in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar from April to October out of the 401 cases reported to the government. - Bernama
