PUTRAJAYA: The Foreign Ministry is paying serious attention to gold smuggling cases involving Malaysians in Bangladesh and has been monitoring several cases in recent years.

In a statement, it said it received a memorandum from the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) appealing for help to resolve three cases involving three Malaysians who are currently serving their life imprisonment sentence for smuggling 45kg of gold into Bangladesh in 2015.

The three were charged and tried in court before being sentenced in 2018. Life imprisonment is up to a maximum of 30 years.

Besides them, another three Malaysians are serving jail sentences for similar charges.

Smuggling gold into Bangladesh is a serious offence and offenders found guilty can be sentenced to death.

“The Malaysian High Commission in Bangladesh has been holding several meetings with these Malaysian prisoners and have extended consular service and also met with lawyers who have been appointed to assist them.

“The High Commission has also taken the initiative and proactive steps in meeting with the authorities in Bangladesh, particularly high-ranking officials, to resolve the matter in the best way.”

Wisma Putra advised Malaysians to be alert and respect the laws of the respective countries they are in and not to engage in any activities, which violate the laws. – Bernama