PUTRAJAYA – The Home Ministry will have to investigate possible cases of human trafficking that entail civil servants’ involvement, as one of the recommendations to fulfil in order to improve Malaysia’s standing in the US government’s trafficking in persons (TIP) Report this year.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this measure is one of 15 recommendations made in the TIP 2023 report, which also saw Malaysia upgraded from the Tier 3 Watchlist to Tier 2.
The US government is of the view that it is “impossible for this issue to happen without civil servants’ involvement”, Saifuddin said at a press conference this afternoon.
“Those involved in human trafficking issues exploit loopholes in the process, whether in terms of regulations, the law, and enforcement.
“Of course, it is on our radar (to investigate) civil servants.”
He clarified that it is not that civil servants are doing the trafficking themselves, but are exploiting loopholes by “turning a blind eye on the aspects that allows human trafficking to occur; that is considered as involvement”.
Saifuddin added that it is premature to state the exact number of human trafficking cases involving civil servants, but assured that the number of such cases is lower than cases involving employers and agents.
Putrajaya has until March 31 next year to fulfil the 15 recommendations to curb human trafficking and forced labour in the nation in order to receive a better ranking in the next report.
Other recommendations include increasing efforts to identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, including household workers, as well as labour in the palm oil and disposable glove manufacturing sectors, among others.
Saifuddin said the ministry would outline four courses of action to overcome human trafficking issues and improve Malaysia’s TIP position, including stricter enforcement and prosecution of individuals accused or convicted of human trafficking, as well as protection for trafficking victims.
The other two are to implement preventive strategies among the public and to enhance collaboration with various agencies and non-governmental organisations.
Yesterday, Saifuddin met US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters to address the country’s ranking in the TIP.
Malaysia has been in Tier 3 for two years, since 2021. The country was previously in Tier 2 from 2018 to 2020.
Nations placed on the first tier in the TIP report are those found to be fully compliant with the minimum standards to eliminate severe forms of trafficking, while nations in Tier 2 are not fully compliant but are making significant efforts.
Nations in Tier 3 do not fully comply with standards, and are not making significant efforts to be compliant.
While Malaysia has made strides to achieve its upgrade to Tier 2, the TIP report also revealed that crimes such as forced labour and cyber scam operations remain an issue here, in light of economic hardships and increased global youth unemployment following the Covid-19 pandemic. – The Vibes, June 16, 2023
