Bukit Aman: 829 human trafficking victims rescued from January 2020 to May 2021

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): A total of 829 individuals, believed to be victims of human trafficking were rescued by the police and given Interim Protection Orders (IPO) following 190 raids conducted nationwide from January 2020 to May 2021.

Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan (pic) said of the total, 74 individuals were given Protection Orders (PO) in 2020, while 65 people others obtained it in the first five months of 2021.

"A total of 599 people were rescued as a result of 146 raids in 2020, with 230 others rescued in 44 raids conducted from January to May 2021.

"Some 243 people were arrested on suspicion of being involved in human trafficking cases last year, while another 110 were detained this year,” he told Bernama.

Comm Abd Jalil said the police were serious in their efforts to combat human trafficking, which has become a global issue.

"Among the efforts were working with non-governmental organisations to disseminate information and create public awareness on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

"In addition, various programmes including courses, in-service training, seminars and workshops are conducted on a yearly basis internally or through collaboration with other agencies or organisations,” he said.

Comm Abd Jalil said the programmes were aimed at enhancing knowledge, skills and expertise among personnel, especially enforcement agency officers involved in combating the crime.

He said continuous efforts are also being made by the police to address the problem of human trafficking, especially forced labour.

"According to statistics, a total of 62 raids in connection with labour exploitation were conducted in 2020 and 25 raids have been carried out up to May this year,” he said, adding that most of the victims were nationals from Indonesia, the Philippines and India. - Bernama