A 35-year-old man who told his family he was traveling to Hong Kong and Taiwan before going missing was, after further checks by his family, confirmed to have actually flown to Laos. The Malaysian Humanitarian Organization (MHO) indicated that, based on available information, it cannot be ruled out that he may have inadvertently fallen for an overseas job scam and is currently being held by the relevant local authorities. However, the actual situation still requires further confirmation.
The organization’s member, Huang Fuxing, said at a press conference on Friday while accompanying the man’s father that Wei Xiaobao, from Sanhegang, Labis, Johor, went missing and the family had previously held a press conference appealing for public assistance. After waiting for about two months with no further news, they then sought help from the organization.
He said that, considering Mr. Wei’s father's advanced age, the organization suggested the family first go to the airport to check immigration records to better determine the man’s whereabouts.
“The result showed that Wei Xiaobao had actually taken a flight to Laos, not to Hong Kong or Taiwan as the family originally believed.”
He said the organization will assist the family to contact local authorities via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will continue to follow up on the progress of the case.
According to reports, Wei Xiaobao had told his family before leaving that he was going with friends to travel in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and that he would return home during the Lunar New Year. However, after that, he lost contact entirely.
The family filed police reports seeking help on February 19 and March 5.