KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians who fall prey to scam, fraud, and drug syndicates should be able to turn to Malaysian embassies, consular offices, and enforcement agencies as their primary support to seek justice and counsel, said Teresa Kok.
The DAP vice chairman, in a statement today, questioned if Malaysians detained overseas were receiving information and advice from Malaysian embassies and consular officers on their right to counsel.
She said while innocence or guilt could only be established in a court of law, it was imperative to ensure that accused individuals had access to information, justice and counsel, adding that the right to be heard before a court of law must be upheld.
"Are their families immediately notified of their detention? In many cases, families are unaware of the detention of their loved ones abroad until after a tip-off or tracking through social media."
Kok, who is also Seputeh member of Parliament, highlighted a recent report where a priest acted as an intermediary between Malaysians and unsuspecting drug mules held in Hong Kong prisons.
She said there was a notable surge in cases involving Malaysians in 2023, with an alarming number of at least 40 Malaysians being exploited.
"One case involved a 16-year-old Malaysian girl who was lured into drug trafficking with promises of a ticket to Hong Kong and RM2,000 spending money.
"Her family had no news of her whereabouts for almost two months until they received a call from the Hong Kong Correctional Services.
"Questions arise about whether the Malaysian Consulate General in Hong Kong knew of her whereabouts and the mechanisms for sharing government-to-government information on citizens in another country.
"It is essential to improve communication and information-sharing between embassies and relevant authorities," she added.
Although the government had consistently emphasised the need for Malaysians to exercise caution when applying and accepting overseas job offers, Kok said some Malaysians who were in dire need of money often fell prey to unscrupulous individuals who exploit them for illegal drug activities.
She said news reports had revealed that Malaysian drug mules were being sent to various countries, adding that it was crucial for embassies to act swiftly in obtaining updated information on Malaysians detained abroad.
A report, she said, had found that only 10 per cent of Malaysian drug mules were caught, which indicated that many more Malaysians may have made successful drug runs.
Kok added that over 430 Malaysian drug mules are currently in prison globally, highlighting the magnitude of the issue.
"While commendable efforts have been made by Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department deputy director DCP Zulkifli Ali to combat drug syndicates, challenges in communication between law enforcement agencies across multiple countries persist.
"The lack of coordination allows syndicates to exploit gaps in information-sharing, leading to cases not being pursued in the country of origin.
"The Golden Triangle, where the borders of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand converge, poses a significant challenge in the fight against the drug menace.
"With reinforced determination by the Madani government, Malaysia can gradually overcome the malignancy that has gripped the nation for decades," added Kok.