Wisma Putra confirms arrests

KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya has sent a diplomatic note to the Cambodian Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry to release the 47 Malaysians detained in Banteay Mancheay province, some 400km from Phnom Penh.

The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said the note was sent by the Malaysian embassy in Cambodia.

It said the embassy in Phnom Penh was only informed by Banteay Mancheay police of the matter on Dec 28, more than two weeks after their arrests, on Dec 11.

“Following notification of the arrests, officers from the embassy in Phnom Penh made a consular visit to the detainees to ensure their wellbeing after receiving detailed information and approval from the local authorities. The visit revealed that most of the detainees were offered jobs with an attractive pay,” it said.

“Officers from the embassy (also) met prison officials and the judge of this case.”

The statement said Wisma Putra, via the Malaysian embassy in Phnom Penh, was monitoring the case and was prepared to render the necessary consular assistance.