Abdul Karim fields questions from reporters during the gathering at the Wushu Federation of Sarawak headquarters.
KUCHING: Sarawakian youths must be careful when seeking or accepting job opportunities abroad so as not to fall victim to human trafficking syndicates.
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said prior to accepting any offer, it is important to carry out a thorough check to ensure the prospective overseas employer is legitimate and not involved in any illegal activities.
“Due to communication now being very advanced, we (government) cannot stop or monitor youths who go abroad seeking greener pastures.
“All we can do is remind them to be extra careful when deciding to seek employment abroad, to avoid being cheated or exploited,” he said when officiating at a Chinese New Year gathering at the Wushu Federation of Sarawak headquarters, here yesterday.
Abdul Karim, who was responding to queries by journalists on the detention of 47 Malaysians in a Cambodian provincial jail for alleged involvement in illegal online gambling, said he was saddened upon being informed that 44 of the detainees are from Sarawak.
He also said he was confident that the federal government, through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, is doing all it can to aid the detainees.
“On the part of the state government, there is nothing we can do at the moment as it involves the laws of another country.
“If we were to go there (Cambodia) and ask for the release of the 44 Sarawakians, they (Cambodian government) will not entertain us. In this matter, we must work together with Wisma Putra in finding a solution,” he said.