MALACCA, Malaysia - Despite death sentences awaiting them, young Malaysian men and women continue to act as "drug mules" for both local and international drug syndicates.

MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong revealed that authorities in Shanghai executed a Malaysian man for drug trafficking two months ago.

There are now two young Malaysian women who are on death row in China.

"One of them is a 26-year-old Kadazan graduate from Sabah while the other is a 28-year-old woman from Kuala Lumpur," he told reporters after attending the MCA Public Services and Complaints Departments road show here Saturday.

Chong noted that there were also four young women who are currently serving jail sentences for drug trafficking in Japan.

"So far this year, we were been approached by some 60 families to assist their children who are facing problems returning to Malaysia after travelling abroad.

"Fifteen cases involved those who had run foul of the law for drug offences and credit card scams," he said.

Chong urged young Malaysians, particularly women, to be more cautious when taking up job offers that involve travelling abroad without checking the company's background.

He noted that the women are usually duped into carrying the drugs to Japan by syndicates from the Middle East while local syndicates tie up with international rings to smuggle drugs into China.

They entice the women by conducting job interviews at luxury hotels or posh-looking offices.

THE STAR / ASIA NEWS NETWORK