Govt to form high-level committee on human trafficking

SEPANG: Malaysia has agreed to form a high-level committee on human trafficking in efforts to stem the crime and provide better protection for the victims, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix).
He said the decision was made at the recent Ministerial Meeting of the Council on Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants which he chaired.
Ahmad Zahid said the high-level committee would discuss, among others, critical issues raised in the US State Department Trafficking in Persons Report 2014, including immediate measures which the Malaysian government should take to improve its ranking.
"The suggestions given in the report include amending the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 20O7, especially with regard to allowing victims to work and stay outside the shelter home and the freedom to move around," he said in a press statement, here, today.
The statement was issued following Ahmad Zahid's meeting with Luis CdeBaca, the US State Department's special envoy on trafficking in persons at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, here, today.
The US State Department Trafficking in Persons Report 2014 released in June had downgraded Malaysia to Tier 3 of the Watch List from the previous standing of Tier 2.
Ahmad Zahid said Cdebaca's visit was the best platform for Malaysia to enhance cooperation with the United States, especially in raising understanding on measures and actions that needed to be taken in improving Malaysia's ranking in future evaluations.
Cdebaca made a short visit to Malaysia today and was expected to meet with senior Malaysian government officials over the report. He had visited Malaysia from July 29 to 30 last year to hold discussions and dialogues with the Council on Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants.
On the involvement of non-governmental organisations in the aspect of protection for victims, Ahmad Zahid said the government would continue cooperating with them, especially in providing psycho-social services, therapy, counselling and medical assistance to the victims, and in case management. – Bernama