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Chong (centre) speaks to reporters during a press conference held at the DAP Sarawak headquarters (HQ) in Kuching on Sept 11, 2024.Advertisement
By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Sept 11: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen has urged the authorities to take immediate and proactive steps to address human trafficking following the disappearance of two Sarawakian siblings.
Chong was joined by the victims’ mother, Mdm Chong, 60, and her cousin at a press conference held today at the DAP Sarawak headquarters (HQ) here.
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According to Chong, Mdm Chong’s 30-year-old son was deceived by two friends, both Sarawakians, to travel to Thailand for employment opportunities.
However, the situation took a darker turn when Mdm Chong’s son was trafficked to Myanmar to work for a scam organisation.
“He is forced to make scam calls, with no way of returning home. He must continue these activities to avoid being beaten up,” Chong stated.
The situation worsened when Mdm Chong’s 41-year-old daughter, who travelled to Thailand in search of her brother, also lost contact with the family.
Mdm Chong’s 41-year-old daughter was reported to have met with her brother’s friends in Thailand; however, there has been no communication from her since that time.
The last known communication from the son was in early August, and the daughter’s last contact was two days ago.
Chong revealed that a police report has been filed, which includes detailed information about the two friends who are residents of Kuching.
He went on to say that Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak secretary George Lam has been assisting Mdm Chong’s family in filing the police report and contacting the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok.
Chong further stressed the importance of caution for youths seeking employment abroad.
“Be more watchful and careful, especially when promised well-paying jobs overseas,” Chong urged, noting that Mdm Chong’s son was offered a moderately high-paying job but fell into a trap.
He also called on the government to take swift and stern action in handling cases like this.
“This is not just a matter of protecting our youth, but it has larger implications for the country as well,” he warned, citing Malaysia’s concerning status in human trafficking rankings.
“Malaysia has previously been on the US Tier 3 list for human trafficking, the worst classification. While we moved to Tier 2 on the watch list, the situation remains critical.
“It’s not only about the safety of our children but also the economic implications. If we fall back to Tier 3, our exports to markets like the US and Europe could face restrictions.”
Chong urged the police to expedite their investigation, given that they have clear leads on the two individuals who facilitated the trafficking.
“If the police act promptly, we hope to see a positive outcome, and Mdm Chong’s children can return home safely,” he said. — DayakDaily
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