Higher Education Ministry determined to help victims of student trafficking

PETALING JAYA: The process of assisting victims of student trafficking will be difficult, but the Higher Education Ministry is determined to do it right.

R.AGE’s Student/Trafficked undercover documentary series has led to a public outcry on social media for action to be taken against colleges and “agents” involved in trafficking foreign students to Malaysia using student visas.

Ministry director-general Datin Paduka Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir (pic) said her team would investigate every single case that came to them.

“We have to look into it on a case-to-case basis. It’s a tedious process, but we’re willing to help. Our main priority is the interest of the students,” said Dr Siti Hamisah.

She said institutions found guilty of the offence could be fined up to RM50,000 and have their licence to bring in international students revoked.

“We have an internal process to justify the amount we’ll impose, which depends on the number of students involved.

“We’ll also get them to assist in repatriation, or pay for the students’ education in another college,” she added.

Victims who would like to report their cases and get assistance from the ministry can do so through R.AGE’s online reporting system at the Student/Trafficked website (rage.com.my/trafficked).

All cases will be forwarded to the ministry for investigation.

The campaign and reporting system has also received support from Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali, who said his department would investigate the colleges and agents involved.

Dr Siti Hamisah will be discussing the campaign and answering questions from the public at 4pm today on The Couch, R.AGE’s weekly live talk show.

Representatives from NGOs Tenaganita and Migrant88 will also be on the show.

Go to facebook.com/thestarRAGE to take part in the live show and watch all Student/Trafficked videos released so far.