Two Malaysians freed from ‘snakeheads’ in Myanmar
GEORGE TOWN: Two Penangites ensnared in a workers scam by a syndicate in Myanmar regained their freedom after their families and Good Samaritans raised the money to secure their release.
One of the victims, known only as Ah Yuan, in his early 30s, arrived home in Penang on Saturday night and reunited with his loved ones.
The other one who was freed, known only as Ah Tai, had his passport stolen and is now in the care of the Malaysian embassy in Thailand while his travel documents are being processed.
What they went through is a lesson to Malaysians not to be taken by deals and promises that are too good to be true.
Ah Yuan returned home in good health but somewhat skinny.
He reached the airport in a brown baseball cap, deep blue face mask, a grey sweater and trousers, and dark blue leather shoes, all of which looked new.
He sported a commando crew-cut and his neck showed signs of sunburn.
Although Ah Yuan spoke with reporters – politely explaining that he had spent over 12 hours travelling and was too disoriented to tell his tale – some of his family members were openly hostile towards the press.
Ah Yuan’s family members confronted press members and demanded privacy and warned photographers not to take their pictures. This led to loud exchanges until two policemen arrived.
In Chinese social media circles, those who are entrapped by worker scams in Myanmar faced strong criticism to the point of being called “zhu zai”, literally meaning “piglet”.
It took a payment of US$13,363 (RM60,000) to secure the release of Ah Yuan and Ah Tai.
This was raised by family members and the MCA. An MCA member, who wanted to remain anonymous, had contributed much of the money.
“Snakeheads” is an American term coined in the early 90s for human traffickers who resort to ruses to lure people wanting to cross borders for better prospects.
But victims are then inevitably driven – often at gunpoint – into something tantamount to forced labour.
But just paying release money was not enough.
The “snakeheads” in a town called
Myawaddi in Myanmar, drove Ah Yuan and Ah Tai to a spot where they could cross a small river and enter Thailand via a border town called Mae Sot.
Penang MCA Youth vice-chairman Sit Jie Hao said the pair then faced other obstacles.
“Many people in Mae Sot approached them, offering help, but we were in contact with them via a messaging app and told them to trust no one,” he recounted when met at the airport on Saturday.
Ah Yuan and Ah Tai convinced a taxi driver to take them to Bangkok – a journey of over 500km – and they finally found refuge in the Malaysian embassy.
Sit said Jelutong MCA division had found ways to contact the “snakeheads” directly and negotiated the release of Ah Yuan and Ah Tai.
“They are aware of how strongly Malaysians reacted on social media and they do not want a trans-national incident,” Sit said.
In previous reports, the “snakeheads” were said to have wanted a payment of 500,000 yuan (RM323,453) for the release of any Malaysian in their grasp.
Sit said there were at least two other Malaysians from Penang trapped in Myanmar and there could more.
Jelutong MCA division chairman Chuah Chin Chuon urged the public to be wary of deals or job offers promising large returns or salaries.
He acknowledged the economy has gotten tougher since the Ukraine war broke out in February, which has led to price increases and food shortages.
“Be patient. We must weather the tough times together,” said Chuah.