Family appeals for federal aid after 18-year-old Sarawak son lured by fake job offer is held captive in Cambodia.
KUCHING: A family in Sarawak is urgently appealing to Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry and federal police for assistance in locating and rescuing their 18-year-old son, who is reportedly being held captive by a human trafficking syndicate operating a job scam in Cambodia.
The distressed parents approached the public complaints bureau of the Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) in Kuching, requesting help to coordinate with Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry in Putrajaya.
According to bureau chairman Milton Foo, the family filed a police report two days prior, revealing that the syndicate had contacted them demanding a ransom of US$8,000, threatening the teenager’s life if payment is not made.
“The young man was reportedly introduced by an acquaintance to what was described as a chef position in Singapore,” Foo explained in an official statement.
“His parents were subsequently alarmed to receive a recorded video call showing their son revealing he had been transported to Cambodia and was being detained against his will.
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“The captors have issued an ultimatum demanding US$8,000, threatening fatal consequences if their demands are not met.
“The family has filed reports with both police authorities and our bureau,” Foo stated.
The bureau has escalated the matter to both the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Putrajaya and the federal police headquarters at Bukit Aman.
According to Foo, Putrajaya is currently coordinating with the Cambodian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur regarding the case.
This incident represents the latest in a long-standing pattern of young people from Sarawak being deceived by fraudulent employment opportunities abroad, only to become victims of trafficking operations.
In late August of this year, authorities reported that Malaysian government agencies, working alongside local and international law enforcement, had successfully recovered 39 Sarawakians who had been ensnared by job scam syndicates linked to human trafficking operations overseas.
Foo revealed in August that official statistics indicated 45 individuals from Sarawak had been reported missing in foreign nations after accepting what appeared to be legitimate employment offers, which proved to be trafficking schemes.
“These individuals were enticed abroad with promises of well-compensated positions.
“By late August, 39 had been rescued and returned home safely.
“Three individuals remained unaccounted for with unknown locations.
“Two others were confirmed to still be under the control of trafficking operators.
“One person was reportedly held in an immigration detention facility abroad.
“Malaysian government departments and police forces continue efforts to assist these six remaining individuals,” he stated at the time.
Foo indicated he had requested SUPP Members of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur to monitor the progress of the outstanding cases.
