Press Release

REPATRIATION OF EIGHT STRANDED MALAYSIANS FROM LIBERIA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a concerted diplomatic and consular efforts had successfully repatriated eight Malaysians who have been left stranded in Monrovia, Liberia since 4 February 2019. This effort includes a letter sent by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah to his counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, Gbehzohgar M. Findley notifying the latter about the stranded Malaysians and subsequently requested the Government of Liberia’s assistance for repatriation. In order to ensure the success of this mission, the Ministry also despatced two officials as Special Envoys to Monrovia on 26 February 2019.

This is the second successful effort by the Government, following the recent release of 47 Malaysians from detention in Cambodia. The Government of Malaysia would like to express its deep appreciation to the Government of Liberia for its kind assistance and cooperation in the release and repatriation of the Malaysians.

All of the stranded Malaysians, who were cheated by a local Malaysian job syndicate, were from Sarawak.

After obtaining the necessary travel documents and approval from the Liberian authorities, the group left for Kuala Lumpur on 3 March 2019 together with the Special Envoys. Their arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on 4 March 2019 at 3.30 p.m were received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ministry officials before they depart for Sarawak via Air Asia at 6.55 p.m. on the same day.

Sime Darby, a Malaysian company operating in Liberia had also rendered necessary assistance by ensuring the welfare of the stranded Malaysians are being taken care of before the arrival of the Special Envoys and while discussions with the Liberian authorities took place.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seriously monitoring the cases involving job syndicate overseas which offer lucrative pays. The Ministry is deeply concerned over the increase of such cases and would like to advise Malaysians to verify any job offer especially from overseas before accepting it. This include a thorough scrutiny of the employment contract,  obtaining a valid working visa, as well as getting the respective Malaysian Missions’ advice beforehand.

PUTRAJAYA

4 March 2019