504 Malaysians Rescued From Job Scam Syndicates, 133 Still Stranded Abroad

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has received 489 reports involving 637 Malaysians who fell victim to human trafficking, particularly job scam syndicates targetting young people, from January until yesterday.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said out of this, 504 individuals had been rescued, while 133 remain stranded abroad.

“The Home Ministry, through PDRM, the Immigration Department, the Foreign Ministry and Health Ministry (MoH), has successfully rescued Malaysian victims involved in job scam syndicates in Myanmar.

“The rescue operation was conducted in phases via the Bukit Kayu Hitam entry point on Feb 24 involving 15 Malaysians, and on March 12, involving another 25 citizens,” he said when winding up the debate on the Royal Address in the Dewan Negara for the ministry today. 

He said all rescued victims underwent health screenings by MoH and the National Anti-Drug Agency before being handed over to their respective families.

Meanwhile, Shamsul Anuar said a new project application for the construction of the Negeri Sembilan Police Contingent Headquarters and a Senior Officers’ Residential Complex had been submitted under Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

“However, to meet the requirements outlined in the 13MP guidelines and the 2026-2030 development project application criteria issued by the Ministry of Economy, a Building Condition Assessment report from the Public Works Department must be included in the application.

“This project will be resubmitted in the upcoming Rolling Plan once the mandatory documents have been obtained,” he said.

In another development, he said PDRM is continuing various efforts to track down and bring back the daughter of kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi who was taken by her former husband K. Patmanathan, also known by his Muslim name Muhammad Riduan, in 2009. 

“Among the ongoing measures is the contempt of court proceedings at the Ipoh High Court, held every three months to update on the efforts to locate K. Patmanathan and Prasana Diksa. 

“PDRM is also receiving assistance from Interpol as the victim is believed to be in Thailand. The police have never stopped their efforts and are continuously working to track down the whereabouts of Indira Gandhi’s former husband and child, who are suspected to be abroad,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said during his ministry’s winding-up speech that 75,494 job seekers with disabilities (PwD) had successfully secured employment. 

“Based on PERKESO (Social Security Organisation) statistics from January 2020 to February 21, 2025, a total of 75,494 PwD job seekers, including participants of the ‘Return to Work Programme’ have been successfully placed in employment,” he said.

-- BERNAMA