PUTRAJAYA – Thirty-one Malaysians trapped by an online job scam syndicate in Myawaddy, Myanmar, arrived safely in Malaysia on Saturday after a complex repatriation effort coordinated by Wisma Putra. The group reached the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, at 6:50 pm and was handed over to the Royal Malaysia Police for investigation, according to a Foreign Ministry statement reported by Sinar Harian.
Identities were verified earlier by the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok during a December operation. Delays stemmed from Thailand’s immigration laws on illegal entry, but negotiations with Tak Immigration authorities secured their release on December 19 under Thailand’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had warned the process could take two weeks due to detentions, court proceedings, fines, and holds. Comprehensive consular support followed, including family notifications, temporary travel documents, logistics, essentials, and a 26-hour escorted journey from Mae Sot in Tak Province.
This operation highlights Wisma Putra’s commitment to protecting Malaysians abroad from job and scam syndicates. Success relied on collaboration among the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, Malaysian Border Control Agency, police, and embassies in Bangkok, Yangon, and the Songkhla consulate-general. The ministry expressed deep gratitude to Thailand and Myanmar authorities for their cooperation in expediting the victims’ return.