Foreign Minister says consular help for Malaysians detained overseas is provided only upon their request, subject to host country laws and Vienna Convention
KUALA LUMPUR: Assistance for Malaysians detained overseas for criminal offences is provided only upon their request and not automatically by the government.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this includes consular assistance such as family notification, legal service arrangements, and meeting basic needs.
“Assistance is provided once the authorities in the host country inform our diplomatic mission that a Malaysian has been detained,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
“We will then visit and identify their needs.”
Mohamad explained that all actions are subject to host country laws and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
He noted that in some cases, Malaysian missions remain unaware of detentions until individuals request embassy notification.
The minister was responding to a supplementary question from Wong Shu Qi regarding humanitarian support for detained Malaysians abroad.
Mohamad clarified that the government does not allocate specific funds for lawyers, with responsibility resting on families instead.
He revealed that 837 Malaysians are currently detained abroad for online fraud offences as of November 8.
China records the highest number with 545 detainees, followed by Singapore with 162.
Other countries with significant numbers include Japan (34), South Korea (22), India (20), Indonesia (11), and Thailand (10).
Ethnically, 765 detainees are Chinese, followed by Malays (34), Indians (33), and five from other groups. – Bernama
