Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 97 convictions of human trafficking related cases have been recorded so far this year.

They include 76 convictions for human trafficking, nine convictions for smuggling of migrants, including in Wang Kelian, and 12 convictions under the Immigration Act, the Penal Code and other related acts.

“This success is the result of close cooperation and continued commitment of the deputy public prosecutors, the enforcement officers and the officers who protect the human trafficking victims,” he said in a statement after chairing the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council (Mapo) meeting in Putrajaya today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, said that as of November this year, 16 human trafficking victims have been granted permission to move freely by Mapo.

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Regulation (Permission to move freely and to work)(Foreign Nationals) 2016 was enforced on May 4 (2016).

The government also agreed to the proposed establishment of a task force for the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) from next year (2017), to enhance investigation and enforcement of Atipsom 2007.

- Bernama