Human trafficking: M’sia may deteriorate to Level 3

 

(Bernama) – Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi said that according to reports by the United States Department’s US Trafficking in Persons (TIP), Malaysia might likely fall to level three – bottom level of TIPS – if no effort was undertaken by the country to curb human trafficking.

Malaysia remains at level two, or placed on the Tier 2 Watch List, for the fourth consecutive year in relation to human trafficking.

Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi said that according to reports by the United States Department’s US Trafficking in Persons (TIP), Malaysia might likely fall to level three – bottom level of TIPS – if no effort was undertaken by the country to curb human trafficking.

“If Malaysia is on level three, it will reflect negatively on us and give a bad image to our country.

“Keep in mind, we have been at level three in 2007 and 2009, and we bounced back and improved our position to level two.

“Thus, this time, all efforts are underway towards achieving that goal,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign and state level Anti-Smuggling of Migrants organised by the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants here today.

The speech was read out by the ministry’s deputy secretary-general (operations) Datuk Wahab Mohd Yassin.

The campaign was organised with the cooperation of the Johor State Elected Representatives’ Wives Association (Juita) and National Council of Women’s Organisations Malaysia (NCWO).

The campaign, supported by various government agencies and non-governmental organisations, is being held for the ninth time after being launched in Perlis, Perak, Malacca, Sarawak, Sabah, Terengganu, Pahang and Penang.