IGP: We will stop human trafficking
Cops renew efforts to stamp out heinous crime as Malaysia taken off Tier 2 Watch List
It is our combined efforts. The nation is thankful to all who worked hard combating human trafficking in Malaysia.
Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
PETALING JAYA: The police have renewed its commitment to wiping out human trafficking in the wake of Malaysia being taken off the Tier 2 Watch List under the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2017.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police and the Home Ministry would continue to work on putting a stop to the heinous crime.
“The Atipsom (Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007) unit of @PDRMsia and Mapo (Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Migrant Smuggling Council) @KDNPUTRAJAYA will continue to fight the crime of human smuggling,” he posted on Twitter yesterday.
According to the report, countries in Tier 2 mean that they are making significant efforts to meet standards for the elimination of human trafficking.
Malaysia was on the lower Tier 2 Watch List for the past two years after moving up from the Tier 3 Blacklist in 2015.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also tweeted his heartfelt gratitude, thanking various agencies that had contributed to the efforts.
“It is our combined efforts. “The nation is thankful to all who worked hard combating human trafficking in Malaysia,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister.
Youths and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin tweeted his congratulations earlier.
“Congratulations @Zahid_Hamidi & @KDNPUTRAJAYA. DPM has been focused on anti-human trafficking efforts. Results are now showing,” he said.
On Wednesday, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim announced that the upgrade was based on improvements in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases in Malaysia.
He said this achievement was a result of the integrated commitment shown by Mapo through its high level committee chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister.
He also said that Malaysia had sentenced 35 people for human trafficking last year, compared to only seven in 2015.
Forty-two civil servants – some from law enforcement agencies – were also arrested and investigated over suspicions of being involved in human trafficking.