Gruesome discovery: Policemen removing skeletal remains from a burial site in Bukit Genting Perah, Wang Kelian, Perlis. — Filepic
PETALING JAYA: Four Thai citizens linked to the mass graves found in Wang Kelian, Perlis, have been extradited to stand trial in a Malaysian court, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said the four, who were among 10 Thai nationals sought by authorities here, were extradited yesterday.
“All four are now in Malaysia and will be brought before the Kangar Sessions Court in Perlis to be charged on Friday (today),” said Saifuddin in a statement yesterday.
He said Malaysia sought assistance from the Thai government on Jan 6, 2017, to extradite the 10 Thai nationals following investigations into the incident.
“Throughout the last six years, the Malaysian and Thai governments made effort to identify and trace these individuals for extradition process.
“Owing to the good joint effort between the two nations, four out of the 10 were located and brought to court in Thailand for extradition,” he added.
He said the case involving the four went through various court processes in Thailand before concluding in March this year.
“On March 30, 2023, the Thai Court of Appeals issued a detention order for the four to be extradited to Malaysia,” added Saifuddin.
He said the four were handed over to Malaysian authorities here yesterday.
In May 2015, 139 graves were discovered in 28 abandoned migrant “prison camps” close to the Malaysia-Thailand border in Perlis including similar graves in the Thai side.
Investigations revealed that the victims were said to have come from Myanmar and Bangladesh and were victims of human trafficking syndicates.
In January 2019, a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) was set which saw 48 witnesses called to testify over a span of six months.
The RCI found no proof that any Malaysian, public servant or enforcement agent, was involved in the human trafficking and migrant smuggling syndicates.
The report, however, stated that negligence in border patrols contributed to the existence of transit camps and mass graves here.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said Malaysia hoped there would be further collaboration with Thailand to track down the other individuals involved and bring them to justice.
