KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia remains steadfast in tackling the issue of trafficking in persons, and this stance is demonstrated by the reduction in the numbers of human trafficking victims in the country over the years.
In highlighting this, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said while the government was conscious of the fact that this heinous crime could not be resolved overnight, it would never relent in its effort to bust the criminals by using the long arms of the law.
Opening the 2019 National Conference on Anti-Trafficking in Persons here today, he reminded local law enforcement officers to always remain steadfast in discharging their duties in accordance with the rule of law.
“As trafficking in persons is also a cross-border crime which involves other jurisdictions, the Malaysian government will work closely with the authorities in neighbouring countries to track, monitor and arrest the traffickers,” Muhyiddin said.
The minister noted that the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council (MAPO), spearheaded by the Home Ministry, had implemented continuous improvements towards curbing human trafficking.
This, he said, was reflected in the reduction of human trafficking victims in Malaysia over the past few years, as tracked by MAPO.
MAPO recorded a total of 543 human trafficking victims placed at shelters in the first half of 2019, compared to 1,474 victims throughout 2018 and 2,945 in 2017, Muhyiddin said.
“While our statistics demonstrated our resolve, we’ll continue to put more focus on enforcement, prosecution, prevention and protection of trafficked victims,” he said at the event held in conjunction with the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30.
The minister pointed out that this had been clearly manifested with the appointment of specialised prosecutors and enforcement focal points in all states.
In addition, a special court to handle trafficking cases has been established and a multi-disciplinary task force has been set up to ensure that trials and the timeframe to settle human trafficking cases are expedited.
Emphasising that the war against trafficking in persons was an important national agenda, Muhyiddin said the government viewed trafficking in persons as a pressing human rights issue apart from being a heinous crime.
“It’s a serious offence and a gross violation of human rights. Its sole purpose is none other than exploitation of human beings for material gains, which includes sexual exploitation and forced labour.
“Put simply, it’s a modern-day slavery,” he said.
Muhyiddin drove home the point that the integrity of the business community, government officials and the Malaysian public was crucial to succeed in fighting against the crime.
“We must be mindful that this kind of crime will persist if the business community continues to create demand for trafficked persons and public officials turn a blind eye to it,” he said.
He called upon government agencies, civil society organisations and international institutions to strengthen cooperation in fighting against trafficking in persons as the war could only be won if they acted together.
NNN– BERNAMA
