AUTHORITIES transferred 134 foreign nationals, including 101 Indonesians, six Namibians, five Sri Lankans, four Kenyans, four Indians, four South Africans, three Zimbabweans, three Nigerians, two Malaysians, one Beninese and one Burundian, who were involved in telecommunications fraud and other criminal activities to their respective countries via the Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge II, in accordance with legal procedures and on humanitarian and friendly bilateral grounds.
Foreign nationals had illegally entered Myanmar through border routes after transiting neighbouring countries, including Thailand, and had engaged in illegal online gambling, online fraud and other criminal activities in the Myawady–Shwe Kokko area of Kayin State.
To ensure that the transfer process proceeded smoothly and systematically, Chairman of the Myawady District Management and Administration Committee and District Administrator U Kaung San Lin together with responsible officials, coordinated with relevant departments to verify the lists and ensure the accuracy and completeness of the records.
A formal handover ceremony was subsequently held. It was attended by the Head of the District Immigration and Population Office, Deputy Director U Kyaw Kyaw Than; Minister Counsellor Mr Mohamad Arif Sulaksono and staff from the Indonesian Embassy in Thailand; Counsellor Ms Jarin Sijaya Abdul Hathi and staff from the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand; Second Secretary Ms Laina S Mundilo from the Namibian Embassy in Malaysia; Administrative and Technical Staff Member Mr Deepak Pathak and staff from the Indian Embassy in Thailand; representatives from the embassies of Sri Lanka, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Benin and Burundi, led by Mr Tana Judah Hira; as well as officials from the Tak Province Immigration Office of Thailand. Myanmar officials systematically handed over repatriation-related documents to representatives of the respective countries.
The government is actively cooperating with neighbouring and regional countries and international organizations to identify, arrest and take effective action against individuals involved in online scam centres, including foreign masterminds operating behind the scenes. At the same time, authorities are coordinating efforts to swiftly repatriate distressed foreign nationals and victims of human trafficking to their respective countries. — MNA/MKKS
