Border agency to elevate M'sia in US Trafficking Report, minister says

The establishment of the Malaysia Checkpoints and Border Agency (MCBA) is set to improve the country’s status in the United States Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report next year.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said enhancing inter-agency cooperation by forming the MCBA is the Home Ministry’s bid to attain Tier 1 status in the report.

“In our efforts to achieve Tier 1 status, the Home Ministry is increasing inter-agency collaboration, including with Global Shepherds and Tenaganita Sdn Bhd, as not all ministries and agencies can handle this, and NGOs can play a significant role here.

“We are also fostering close cooperation with human rights institutions such as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and internationally through The Bali Process, which further strengthens inter-agency collaboration - a critical measure for positioning the country more favourably.

“Furthermore, the establishment of the MCBA, announced on May 1 by the prime minister, also has a significant impact in realising Malaysia’s target,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Saifuddin elaborated that the ministry is also intensifying efforts to identify and protect all trafficking victims, as well as improving the prosecution process.

He added that there are already national guidelines for trafficking indicators and several initiatives for enforcement agencies to ensure Malaysia is perceived as committed to tackling human trafficking issues.

“We also aim to enhance the quality of investigations to ensure they can lead to charges and subsequently convictions,” he said.

In June, Malaysia was upgraded to Tier 2 in the TIP Report.

However, activists claimed the country did not deserve the status upgrade as there were no significant improvements on the ground.

- Bernama

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