KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia aims to attain Tier 1 status on the United States State Department Trafficking In Persons (TIP) report next year, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.
The Home Minister said the country was presently placed in Tier 2, adding the government, through the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Mapo), was working hard to exert efforts to curb human trafficking and forced labour to improve its position under the worldwide standings.
“Our target next year is Tier 1, which means a country that complies with all the indicators (of the TIP report),” he said to reporters after attending the Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour Convention here on Thursday (Sept 5).
As of now, he said, Malaysia has met eight out of 16 indicators.
“We are also seen showing high compliance to rescue programmes (and) this is a combination of work involving the Manpower Department (JTK), Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma), Home Ministry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and employers.
“So, we are creating awareness,” said Saifuddin.
He added, however, that efforts were being made to improve on seven indicators that were seen as under compliance, including providing conducive environments for rescued victims.
“This is a role to be played by the shelter homes.
“We are providing yearly grants to NGOs (for this effort). This means that while the government and agencies have their roles, we also involve NGOs.
“So, I am confident that if we continue this momentum, our target to reach Tier 1 will not be too difficult,” Saifuddin said.
In his speech earlier, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that human trafficking and forced labour crimes needed to be addressed.
He said that the state government was committed to combating these crimes and that cooperation and coordination between state and federal government agencies, NGOs, and local authorities were required.
"The state's position, sharing borders with several countries including Indonesia and the Philippines, makes cross-border travel easier, which in turn exposes Sabah to cross-border migration, human trafficking, and forced labour activities," he said.
Hajiji also hoped that some 178,000 employers in the state would participate in signing pledges and commitments to combat human trafficking and forced labour.
