Malaysian police are seeking cooperation from the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration to prevent human trafficking involving their countrymen in the coastal province.

At a January 26 meeting with senior officials from the provincial administration, Malaysian Police Commissioner Abdul Jalil Hassan said that human trafficking was a concern affecting the world, and Malaysia has been working strenuously to combat this kind of crime.

Citing several victims, he said they had requested intervention abroad, including in Cambodia.

“This is an honour to meet with you in order to look for ways to locate and rescue these victims. We look forward to successful arrests of the perpetrators of these terrible crimes and are pleased to have this opportunity to exchange information and experience,” he added.

He hoped that through these talks, the governments of Malaysia and Cambodia would strengthen their cooperative efforts to eliminate human trafficking.

Malaysian ambassador Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim thanked the provincial administration for making it easier for Malaysians to work there.

He said that he was also encouraging Malaysians to visit, and invest in the province.

The ambassador promised that in the future, he would meet with more investors to increase closeness, and help them gain a clear understanding of the investment potential of Preah Sihanouk.

Provincial deputy governor Mang Sinet said that as of January 23, 468 Malaysians are living in the province, 95 of them women. They are employed in casinos, hotels, guesthouses, factories, educational institutions and several other businesses.

He added that the province received 23 complaints related to possible trafficking activities through the official Facebook page of Minister of Interior Sar Kheng and Hotline 117 of the National Police, as well as through direct complaints to the provincial administration, from October 3, 2022 to January 17 this year.