The eight Sarawakians who were stranded in Monrovia arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Bernama Photo
KUCHING: The police have arrested two men believed to be involved in a job scam which led to eight Sarawakians being stranded in Monrovia, Liberia.
Sarawak Commercial CID chief Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said the two suspects were arrested at around 10am in Sibu today.
“The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code,” he said in a statement.
Sibu police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit added that the two locals would be remanded tomorrow, classifying the case as cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Stanley said the incident could have taken place last year, when the two began recruiting locals to work in a timber camp in Liberia that was supposed to be newly set up.
“The two brought the eight workers over, but when they were there, the setting up of the timber camp did not materialise.”
He said one of the two returned to Malaysia first, leaving his partner with the eight workers in Liberia.
The eight Sarawakians who fell for a job scam and were left stranded in Monrovia, Liberia since Feb 4 arrived at Sibu Airport yesterday after being successfully repatriated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a concerted diplomatic and consular efforts.
The stranded victims are Gawan Masin 41; Enyang Ato 66; Aji Surau, 39; Untol Luyang, 58; Sallim Tahir, 49; Suhaili Gani, 39; Bon Egat, 45 and Dingai Nyalak, 47.
They were cheated by a local Malaysian job syndicate which offered lucrative paychecks.