The amendment to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007, to make it more comprehensive in fighting trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants, is to be tabled at the current session of Parliament, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

He said the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill 2010 was approved by the cabinet at its meeting today.

The amendment, among other things, would see an increase in the penalties imposed on individuals and organisations involved in the trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants, much heavier than that provided for in the Immigration Act, he said.

"The bill will have 14 new sections, and amendments will be made to 10 existing sections.

"It includes smuggling of migrants, appointment of the labour officer as the enforcement officer, jurisdiction of the Sessions Court to record testimony of victims, the issuing of the Interim Protection Order (IPO) by magistrates and the application of acts involving not only recipient countries but also transit countries," he said in a statement.

Hishammuddin said the government hoped that more integrated action could be taken on the relevant issues because the two crimes were closely linked and interlinked, particularly in the context of exploitation of foreign labour and migrants.

"The government also wants to resolve issues associating Malaysia as a transit country.

"Individuals or parties who help to smuggle in migrants will also be penalised, besides the penalty imposed on migrants who enter the country illegally," he said.

Hishammuddin said the amendment would also enable the government to expand the function and role of the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons, including to monitor the pattern of entry of migrants and their movement in the country.

He said the monitoring would help relevant agencies to take subsequent action to stamp out smuggling of migrants.

"For this purpose, the council will be strengthened with the addition of two members from among non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with expertise in anti-smuggling of migrants," he said.

Hishammuddin said the ministry had taken all necessary measures to ensure that the amendments achieved their targets, including by holding a public briefing on June 9 chaired by Deputy Minister Abu Seman Yusop and attended by 68 people, including representatives from NGOs, foreign missions and international organisations.

- Bernama