The fight against human trafficking in Malaysia got a set of wheels yesterday, with the launch of a travelling truck project to create awareness of the issue among Klang Valley residents.

The truck will dock at shopping malls, colleges and other public areas like the SS2 Petaling Jaya night market and give passers-by a taste of what it feels like to be a victim of human trafficking, campaign organiser Cathryn Loh Kah Yeng said.

"Activities that will be held include flash mobs, the ‘trapped experience’ and interactive scenes.

"Hopefully through all these activities people will be more aware of what human trafficking is and realise that it is really happening in Malaysia," she said.

The truck acts like a giant television box set, with actors inside the truck depicting harrowing scenes experienced by victims.

Its had its maiden outing as part of the 'Trapped, You Can Set Them Free' event at Sunway Pyramid Mall yesterday, which also kicks off the Be My Protector campaign against human trafficking.

The nine-day project costing RM60,000, is sponsored by the offices of DAP assemblypersons Hannah Yeoh (Subang Jaya), Yeo Bee Yin (Damansara Utama) and Ng Sze Han (Kinrara).

Speaking at launch, Yeoh stressed on the need for Malaysians to care for the welfare of the foreign workers and to stop human trafficking in the country.

"These foreign workers come because they are in need, to feed their families. Many are tricked and are here without permits.     

"We should not advance economically and be progressive at the expense of these basic human rights. We as a community need to look after these foreign workers," she said.

As such, she urged the public to alert the authority or contact NGOs like they Tenaganita if suspect human trafficking.

“We can only help to create awareness. Some of these cases involve syndicates. So we will need the experts to deal with these,” she said.     

The campaign has garnered the attention of many youths, who signed up as volunteers for the event.

One person at a time

Jeremy Yap Yee Li, 22, (above) a volunteer from the Multimedia Media University (MMU) said that he wished to play his part to help create awareness among Malaysians.

"Human trafficking is not a small problem and it’s happening worldwide," he said.  

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) student Gracella Santianna Yong (right) felt the need to inform Malaysians about the seriousness of human trafficking in the country.

"Many people are not aware of the human trafficking cases in Malaysia. Maybe we cannot tell the whole world, but at least we are telling one person at a time," the student, who is majoring in counselling, said.

   

The campaign boasts celebrity ambassadors including musician Joe Flizzow and television host Daphne Iking.

Other supporters include Petaling Jaya MP Tony Pua and lawyer Syahredzan Johan.