Malaysian embassy staff in talks to secure release of 47

KUCHING: Efforts to secure the immediate release of 47 Malaysians detained in Banteay Meanchey in Cambodia are underway.

It is learnt that officials from the Malaysian embassy in Phnom Penh are in talks with Cambodian senior officials.

Sarawak Regional Office director Deddy Faisal Ahmad Salleh said efforts to free the detainees had received serious attention of the Federal Government and Sarawak government, but everything had to follow Cambodian law.

Family members of the detainees are expected to arrive in Phnom Penh tomorrow to look into their condition at the prison.

Julau member of parliament Larry Sng said he would join the delegation, which would also comprise members of the media.

“The Malaysian embassy in Cambodia has managed to arrange for a visit to Banteay Meanchey prison on Wednesday,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Sng said AirAsia had agreed to bear the costs of bringing the detainees home.

“I am proud that many have come forward to offer assistance. AirAsia is one good example.”

The Malaysians are held in prison at Poipet in Banteay Mancheay Region, 446km north of Phnom Penh, for alleged involvement in online gambling activities.

However, no charges have been made as they have claimed to have entered the country after being offered jobs as promoters for an electronics brand last October.