Malaysia working with US to fight human trafficking

Forging ties: Dr Ahmad Zahid and Coppedge at his office in Putrajaya.

PUTRAJAYA: Prosecuting human traffickers and identifying those susceptible to exploitation as forced labourers are among the areas in which Malaysia will work closely with the United States.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi discussed the matter with Susan Coppedge, the US Ambassador-at-large for Trafficking in Persons, at his office yesterday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also explained Malaysia’s initiatives to fight human trafficking and the need to look into the welfare of the victims.

“I also informed Coppedge that the Government’s efforts are not only based on recommendations by the US State Department but are part of our commitment as a member of Asean, which adopted the Asean Convention against Trafficking in Persons (especially women and children) last year,” he said.

Also present at the meeting were Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim and US Ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y. Yun.

Zahid said the war against human trafficking needed support from all parties, including NGOs, particularly to report such incidents and provide shelter, protection and rehabilitation for the victims.

Coopedge, who is also senior advisor to the US Secretary of State, is here to follow-up on the US Trafficking in Persons Report 2016 issued by the State Department last month that cover 188 countries on the aspects of prevention, prosecution and protection.

The report saw Malaysia staying on the Tier 2 watch-list this year.

She will hold discussions with the relevant ministries and agencies as well as members of the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons, particularly on suggestions put forward by the State Department for Malaysia to improve its standing next year.

Coppedge was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2015 to lead the country’s global engagement against human trafficking.

She was the assistant US Attorney in the northern district of Georgia for 15 years, where she prosecuted more than 45 human traffickers in federal cases.