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Malaysia
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31 Malaysians rescued from Myanmar job scam centre return home

The job scam victims rescued from a Myawaddy job syndicate return home safely after intensive diplomatic negotiations and a 26-hour land journey

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People from China, Vietnam, and Ethiopia – believed trafficked and forced to work in scam centers – sit masked in detention after their February release in Myawaddy, eastern Myanmar. Photo: AP
The Star
A group of 31 Malaysians, victims of a job scam syndicate in Myawaddy, Myanmar, have been successfully repatriated following a high-level diplomatic operation, the Malay language daily Sinar Harian reported.

They arrived at the Bukit Kayu Hitam immigration complex near the Thai-Malaysian border at 6.50pm on Saturday. Upon arrival, they were immediately handed over to the Royal Malaysia Police for further investigation into the syndicate’s operations.

While the victims’ identities were confirmed by the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok during an earlier operation in December, their return was delayed by legal hurdles.
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According to a statement from the foreign ministry, the group was initially held due to local immigration laws regarding illegal entry.

The KK Park complex in Myanmar’s eastern Myawaddy township, as pictured from Mae Sot district in Thailand’s border province of Tak. Photo: AFP
The KK Park complex in Myanmar’s eastern Myawaddy township, as pictured from Mae Sot district in Thailand’s border province of Tak. Photo: AFP

Their return could not be immediately arranged due to detention processes, court actions, and fines, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said.

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