Home Ministry to meet US envoy over human trafficking report

KUALA LUMPUR – The Home Ministry is scheduled to meet with the US ambassador tomorrow to address Malaysia’s ranking in Washington’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for the upcoming year, after receiving an unfavourable third-tier position in the report for 2022.

During his winding-up speech on the Malaysian Human Rights Commission’s Annual Report 2020 in the Dewan Rakyat today, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the country’s current TIP ranking indicates a failure to meet the minimum standards.

In response, Saifuddin outlined four courses of action that the ministry plans to undertake in order to improve Malaysia’s TIP position. 

These measures include stricter enforcement and prosecution of individuals accused or convicted of human trafficking, which the ministry considers a crucial benchmark.

Additionally, trafficking victims will be provided with protection and support to enable them to work and move freely. 

The government will also implement preventive strategies such as engaging in public awareness programmes and outreach initiatives.

Furthermore, the ministry aims to enhance collaboration with various agencies and non-governmental organisations, both domestically and internationally, to combat human trafficking.

According to the US government’s website, there is a lack of significant efforts from Malaysia to combat human trafficking, despite taking into account the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic on anti-trafficking measures.

The website also stated that although Malaysia has not demonstrated significant efforts to curb human trafficking, it has taken several measures to address the issue. 

These measures include amending anti-trafficking laws and the Employment Act 1955 to provide a more comprehensive definition of forced labour and increased convictions for traffickers compared to previous reporting periods. – The Vibes, June 14, 2023