KUALA LUMPUR: There should be an immediate probe into the recruitment agents who allegedly duped Bangladeshis into coming to Malaysia for non-existent jobs, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Azalina who is Pengerang MP said the 2,500 of the duped migrant workers in her constituency is only the "tip of the iceberg."
She said there should be no tolerance towards human rights violations including in the business sector.
"As MP Pengerang, I had reached out to YB Steven Sim (Human Resource minister) as I am told that about 2500 of these duped migrants are in Pengerang. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
"The culprits behind this syndicate must be held accountable and immediate investigations must be carried out on who issued these permits with no jobs available.
"These are crimes against humanity. We must not tolerate violation against human rights including in the business sector.
It is time to take firm action against irresponsible businesses," she said in a statement on X.
She added that the responsibility and role of all companies involved should also be investigated to determine how legitimate migrant workers could be exploited and enticed with promises of work in Malaysia.
She also commended Sim who extended assistance to the migrant workers who have been duped.
Her call comes after police yesterday arrested 171 Bangladeshis seen marching together in Pengerang, Johor, in a video that went viral.
Kota Tinggi district police chief Supt Hussin Zamora said the incident, which occurred on Dec 20, prompted the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) to file a report the same day.
He said the Bangladeshi men were arrested by MAF personnel and initial investigations had revealed that they were probably heading towards the Bayu Damai police station, located about 10 kilometres away from their hostel.
The foreign workers wanted to press charges against their agents as they claimed they had yet to be employed after three to six months.
Following that, Sim had extended assistance to the workers adding that he would also summon the employers mentioned in the foreigners' document and the related agencies to assist in the investigation later this week.