NARATHIWAT: Two Thai men who hoped to work in Malaysia recounted how their dreams were shattered after they were sentenced to five years in prison after falling victim to a job scam syndicate.
The two best friends, who wished to be identified only as Ibrahim, 70, and Sabri, 60, served their sentences at Ajil Prison in Terengganu.
Although the incident occurred around 18 years ago, the memories remain fresh in their minds.
Both men served their jail sentences after being caught by the Immigration Department for entering the country illegally.
Recalling the incident to Malaysian media here recently, Ibrahim said they were arrested by immigration officers while they were at a mosque in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, in 2007.
"Two Thai men, who were agents of the syndicate, promised to help us find jobs in Malaysia's agricultural sector, including in Kelantan. That's when we decided to cross over," Ibrahim explained.
"We entered Kelantan via an illegal jetty in Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, and went directly to the mosque in Pasir Mas."
When they arrived at the mosque, they were shocked to find more than 30 other Thais there, all promised employment by the same individuals.
"After performing Maghrib prayers, the mosque was raided by immigration officers, and all of us were detained," said Ibrahim, a father of five.
Sabri explained that the decision to cross into Malaysia came after tensions in their home country following the 2004 Takbai tragedy.
"After we were arrested, the Malaysian authorities brought us, along with other Thais, to the immigration detention centre in Tanah Merah.
"The Malaysian court then sentenced us to five years in jail for entering the country without valid travel documents," he said.
Sabri hopes their experience will serve as a warning to others.
"Many Thais want to work in Malaysia because they know the income is good, but I want to remind them to be cautious of this syndicate.
"The syndicate had targeted nearly 1,000 Thais for this operation, but they failed after the first attempt."
He also mentioned that two of the syndicate's agents had recently died.
