DRUGS, CREDIT CARD FRAUD MAIN OFFENCES OF MALAYSIANS ABROAD

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Drug smuggling and credit card fraud make
up a majority of the offences committed by Malaysians who were detained or
sentenced to death abroad.

Deputy Foreign Minister Senator A. Kohilan Pillay said drug smuggling made
up 756 cases, or 50 per cent, while cases involving use of fake credit cards
totalled 195.

Another 87 cases included commercial crimes such as theft, human
trafficking, immigration and use of weapons.

He said most of the Malaysian offenders arrested overseas were youths aged
between 20 and 35 who were preyed on by various syndicates, including those
masterminded by Arabs and Africans, to carry out criminal activities.

"Youths are ideal targets because they are free from criminal records,
whereas those with past criminal records may risk arrest sooner," he said in
reply to a supplementary question from Senator Abdul Rahman Bakar
on the offences frequently committed by Malaysians abroad.

Kohilan said the disabled were also not excluded from falling victims to
these syndicates, with women being a prime target compared to men.

In relation to that, he said the government would not interfere with the
host country's legal affairs but would appeal for a lighter sentence should it
be requested by the offender's family.

Currently 1,490 Malaysians are imprisoned overseas of whom 70 were
sentenced to capital punishment.

-- BERNAMA