IGP: Malaysia not a hub for baby-selling syndicates
KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar yesterday denied that Malaysia was a hub for baby-selling syndicates, as claimed by a foreign television news network.
He said while it could not be denied that such syndicates existed in Malaysia, the country was not a hub and, contrary to what was portrayed by the Al Jazeera news network, it was not easy for anyone to buy babies on the black market here.
“In the 25-minute (news report), Malaysia was pictured as a growing hub for the sale of babies, ostensibly because of syndicates working hand-in-glove with civil servants, but it is not as easy as portrayed in the report as police are constantly monitoring such activities.”
Khalid said efforts by police were strengthened by the establishment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Unit (D7C) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 2008.
The unit, he said, worked with the Sexual, Women and Children Investigation Division, also under CID.
Khalid gave several instances where police busted syndicates involved in the sale of babies on the black market.
In 2010, he said, police arrested six people involved in such activities. They were a doctor, three nurses, the son of the doctor and a civil servant.
In 2014, D7C officers smashed a syndicate operating in Pedas, Negri Sembilan, arresting a couple and rescuing three women, three underage boys and a baby.
“Last year, police rescued 17 women, four teenage girls and three babies in Gombak, arresting three female members of a syndicate in the process.
“In two separate cases this year, three men from India and a woman from Myanmar were arrested and a baby rescued,” said Khalid.
He said the force worked with government ministries and agencies to ensure that the sale of babies on the black market and “any sort of exploitation of women and children” was given the highest priority.
“Police will investigate the allegations made by Al Jazeera so that action can be taken.”