Over the years, many Malaysians were reported missing after making their way to neighbouring countries like Thailand or Myanmar. Some were promised lucrative job offers while others left to meet a “friend”.
In just 2 years, we’ve reported at least 4 cases involving 5 Malaysians who went missing in Thailand or Myanmar. Here’s a quick recap of these cases and an update on some of them.
1. Zhan Feng (missing January 2022)
Zhan Feng made a trip to Thailand to meet a friend he met online and promised to be back by February, in time for his mum’s birthday. Unfortunately, Zhan Feng never made it back home and met his demise in Thailand, as reported by BERNAMA.
On March 31, Zhan Feng called his parents and informed them that he was in Mae Sot in Tak Province and that he needed RM80,000 for medical treatment.
Little did the parents know, that was the very last time they would speak to Zhan Feng.
Goi Chee Kong, 50, and his 45-year-old wife from Ipoh travelled to Bangkok on August 30 to see their son, who was said to be ill and was receiving treatment at the hospital, and bring him back to Malaysia for treatment. It broke their hearts to learn that Zhan Feng, who was only 23 had passed away on May 2022.
The doctors believed that the victim was abused by a job scam syndicate in Myanmar before being left at the hospital on April 11. He was even admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) using a false name. His remains were buried at a cemetery in Si Racha in Chonburi province, but the pair got to bring home their son’s ashes.
2. Chia Min Yong (missing April 2022)
Min Yong, a former insurance broker who is meant to turn 24 this year left her house in Setapak after telling her parents that she had a job offer in Johor. PDRM could not find any records of her leaving the country and throughout the months, her family received calls from alleged kidnappers who demanded ransom.
Months later, PKR’s Sim Chon Siang revealed that his informant told him that Min Yong was held captive inside a dorm room in a hostel believed to be for job scam victims in Myanmar.
However, rescue work was impossible due to the civil war in the area, known as the Myanmar Spring War. Some job scam victims who were rescued also claimed they saw Min Yong in the hostel crying alone.
At the time of writing (October 10, 2024), Min Yong’s whereabouts remain unknown.
3. Yumi and Goh Beng Shong (missing September 2024)
With the previous missing persons yet to reunite with their families, the nation was shocked again this year by the disappearance of a couple from Penang.
Yumi, 23, and Goh, 21 boarded a flight to Bangkok in early September. Goh told his family that he got a job in the United Kingdom as a driver, and Yumi, on the other hand, did not reveal any details to her mother but she was aware that Yumi had boarded a flight to Bangkok as well. Shortly after, Yumi’s best friend claimed that Yumi was stuck in Spain after losing their luggage and important documents.
In a recent update by Goh’s mum, who personally visited the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand, she learned that Goh had booked 4 flights.
- Penang to Bangkok (September 4)
- Bangkok to Frankfurt, Germany (September 7)
- Frankfurt to Doha (September 12)
- Doha to Kuala Lumpur (September 13)
The Thai Immigration also confirmed that Goh had left the country on September 7 to Frankfurt.
However, there was no word on Yumi, who was supposed to be travelling with him.
The waiting continues as loved ones keep searching for their missing family members and friends. If you have any information, please reach out to PDRM and other relevant authorities.
Also read: MISSING: PDRM Searching For 12yo Klang Girl & 20yo Pahang Woman, Both Went Missing Near Their Homes
