PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) has urged the government to use Asean channels to tackle job scams in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.
Former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, who is MHO adviser, said this was necessary to prevent Malaysians from becoming human-trafficking victims abroad.
Describing the situation as serious, he said he was asking the police to obtain the necessary information on the issue.
"I had established an Asean desk in Bukit Aman, with police representatives for each Asean country.
"I hope the police can obtain the required information on the crimes being committed against Malaysians in the countries involved."
Musa earlier led an MHO delegation to Wisma Putra to submit a memorandum on the issue.
Meanwhile, MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim urged the Immigration Department to prevent Malaysians under 40 from travelling to Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia for the time being.
He said Malaysians wishing to travel to these countries for jobs should be prevented from doing so if the companies in question had no track record of salary payment or were not listed with the Home Ministry.
"Do not allow this. Follow the measures taken by Taiwan and Indonesia, which prevent their people from becoming victims of job fraud syndicates.
"This is the time for us to take serious action. We need to use every available mechanism so that all Malaysians are able to return to the country."
Hishamuddin also urged the government to use the highest platform, such as the Asean conference, to discuss the issue.
He cautioned that if left unchecked, the syndicates' activities would spread and they would become more daring, further complicating the issue.
He said pressure had to be exerted on the heads of government before any Malaysian life was lost.
Up to Sept 4, the Foreign Ministry has rescued 87 Malaysians who were duped into travelling abroad for employment.
Of that number, 65 Malaysians were brought back from Cambodia, 10 from Laos, two from Myanmar and 10 more from Thailand.
Individuals or families of victims of such scams can contact the Foreign Ministry through the Consular Assistance Unit for Malaysians Abroad via the e-mail bkrm@kln.gov.my or report to the Consular Division for assistance.