The woman, known only as Risdawati, 42, said she was told by her daughter that she needed to pay US$10,000 (RM42,000) in cash supposedly to cover the cost of bringing her home.

Risdawati said her daughter went to work in Myanmar on a one-year contract with a company; she was informed that she would be able to return home at the end of the contract.

“However, after the contract ended, my daughter was not allowed to return. The company cheated us, and demanded a sum of money, amounting to US$10,000, supposedly to cover the cost of bringing her home,” said Risdawati at a press conference here today.

Also present at the press conference was Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation secretary-general Hishamuddin Hashim.

Risdawati said her daughter had wanted to work in Singapore after finishing school but was prevented from doing so by her father who was worried for her safety.

“However, she was allowed to work in Johor in the middle of last year and stayed with her aunt for about two weeks before we lost contact. We believe she was taken to Myanmar using illegal routes from Thailand,” she said.

Risdawati said two police reports were lodged.

Hishamuddin said his team is trying to rescue the victim. He advised the family not to pay any ransom and discouraged them from frequently contacting their daughter.