Malaysia aims better ranking in US' human trafficking report

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia remains steadfast in its efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling and hopes to achieve Tier 1 or Tier 2 in the United States Human Trafficking Report.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said at present, the US State Department placed Malaysia on Tier 3 Watch List in its Trafficking in Persons report.

"The determination is proven by the commitment of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in fighting such crimes in this country, We are aiming to place Malaysia on Tier 2 or Tier 1.

"Efforts to achieve the target would be carried out with agencies under the Council of Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO), Home Ministry, Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) and other agencies," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the ATIPSOM prosecution and enforcement conference between the AGC and enforcement agencies for 2022.

Also present were MAPO secretary Syuhaida Abdul Wahab Zen and AGC General Crimes and Public Order Unit head Datuk Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim.

On July 2, last year, Malaysia was downgraded to Tier 3 in the US State Department's annual human trafficking report, on the ground that it did not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking under the US Protection of Victims of Trafficking Act 2000 (TVPA).

In a related development, Abd Jalil said police conducted 112 raids against human trafficking last year, involving 228 arrests. Police were able to rescue some 448 victims and obtain Interim Protection Orders (IPO) for them.

He added as of January this year, a total of 13 raids were carried out, which led to 19 individuals arrested and 37 individuals rescued.

"For the migrant smuggling crimes, police conducted 217 raids last year and arrested 378 smugglers and 1,873 migrants.

"For January this year, a total of 24 raids were conducted with 44 smugglers and 231 migrants nabbed," he said.

Abdul Jalil said most of them were detained through the Ops Benteng operations and investigations found that among the migrants who trespassed the country's borders were Indonesians and Rohingyas using rat trails along sea routes.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, our country's borders remained closed and many had tried to trespass through illegal border routes despite being warned not to enter Malaysia illegally," he added.

-- BERNAMA