KUANTAN: Sixteen Malaysians have been arrested by Cambodian authorities and are currently being detained at a police station in Phnom Penh.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said as soon as the ministry was informed of their arrest, the Malaysian embassy in Cambodia deployed its officers to meet the Malaysians.
"These 16 individuals are currently detained at a police station in Phnom Penh for investigations, and our officers have gone to meet them to gather further information. They are all reported to be in good health.
"Our government has a good working relationship with Cambodia and usually when Malaysians are arrested, our embassy staff will meet them and provide consular services," he told reporters after opening the Kuantan branch of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam 42nd annual general meeting at their office here today.
Saifuddin was asked to verify claims by MCA public services and complaints department head Michael Chong yesterday that two Malaysians were among several people locked up in a building by criminal syndicates in Cambodia.
Yesterday, Chong held a live conversation with some of the victims who begged the Malaysian police to rescue them as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the ministry was still trying to verify if the 16 people detained in Phnom Penh were among those who had spoken to Chong.
"The ministry will gather more information from Chong to help us track down the Malaysians," he said.
The minister declined to divulge details on the date of arrest, gender and offence committed by the 16 individuals.
He reminded Malaysians who are seeking to travel abroad to start new jobs to verify the work and offer letters with the ministry or embassy before travelling.
"We cannot control Malaysians from taking up job offers from abroad, but they need to verify certain details before travelling. Syndicates are now luring victims by offering high-income jobs and salaries paid in American currency.
"Those who wish to travel to work abroad must have a valid working visa, a proper offer letter according to the rules and regulations of the respective country where they are going to work...it is best to make a quick check about the potential job offer with the ministry or embassy," he said.
On a separate matter, Saifuddin dismissed reports that 10,000 Malaysians were stranded in Thailand after their travel documents expired, saying the ministry has already planned for 2,439 registered Malaysians to return home.
He said since the first movement control order, the ministry and consulate-general in Songkhla Province had helped 2,439 individuals who wanted to return to Malaysia.
"The report stating 10,000 Malaysians is not accurate. Those who have yet to get in touch with the consulate-general are advised to contact them as soon as possible for assistance.
"If there are Malaysians whose documents have expired, forcing them to overstay, the ministry will assist as we know they want to come home. If they have valid reasons, the ministry will issue emergency certificates to allow them to return home safely," he said when asked about reports claiming that over 10,000 Malaysians were trapped in Thailand and became illegal immigrants after their border passes had expired.