Arrests in Malaysia

MALAYSIAN officials said yesterday that 74 Cambodian nationals were arrested and detained in Malaysia on Saturday, amending earlier reported figures of the number detained.

Raja Saifful Ridzuwan, minister counsellor at the Malaysian Embassy in Phnom Penh, said yesterday that the group was composed of 43 adult males, 16 adult females, nine boys and six girls.

“They are being held at the immigration depot in Johor pending further investigation and subject to whether they will be charged and sent to court or not,” he said.

“Initial investigation showed that this group probably stayed in Malaysia for some time so we are trying to ascertain how they came into the country.” Ridzuwan added that none of the detainess possessed travel documents for Cambodia or any other country.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Koung said Cambodian officials would try to repatriate the group as quickly as possible.

“We will try our best to help our people return back to their homes,” he said.