Zahid: US should also rank human trafficking source countries

Datuk Seri Dr Ahamd Zahid Hamidi

KUALA LUMPUR: Source countries for human trafficking syndicates should also be properly ranked in the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Watch List, not just “destination” countries such as Malaysia.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said Malaysia is still on Tier 2 of the watch list despite all its efforts to combat human trafficking.

“There are two nations that are source countries for human trafficking and migrant smuggling activities, but they rank higher than us in the report - one is placed on Tier 1 and the other is in Tier 2 but not on the watch list.

“Those who monitor and generate the report should see to it that a nation is not put on the watch list simply because it is a  'recipient country'.

“It is not fair for us to be in the watch list although we have worked hard. We are not the 'exporting country', but we are the 'recipient country',” he told Shaharuddin Ismail (BN-Kangar) during Question Time in Parliament Tuesday.

Malaysia is on Tier 2 of the US watch list, according to the TIP report issued by the US State Department, which assessed 188 countries in terms of prevention, prosecution and protection of anti-human trafficking efforts.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is Home Minister, reassured the Dewan that the Government, through the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants, is working with international organisations to combat human trafficking and has come out with “good enough” results so far.

“I hope our ambassador in the US will engage the Department of State to determine that Malaysia should be rated higher because of our commitment to follow-up action.

“There may be cases that appear isolated, but we take this matter seriously because human trafficking is a crime that affects our image,” he said.