Home ministry to send report to US on anti-human trafficking efforts

The home ministry says it will send a complete report, including a video documentary of Malaysia’s efforts to address human trafficking issues, to the US State Department.

Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said the documentary would show the plight of the victims of trafficking cases who had been rescued, and give an actual picture of Malaysia's anti-trafficking efforts.

"We do all that to inform the world that we do not take this issue lightly or take it for granted," he told reporters after officiating the World Day Against Trafficking In Persons 2022 in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

According to Hamzah, the initiatives were taken by the government to improve Malaysia’s Tier Three standing in the US Trafficking in Persons Report 2022.
 
In a related matter, Hamzah said that 73 civil servants were investigated for offences related to human trafficking from January to July this year, 40 of whom were officers from the immigration department.

"Action has been taken against six (out of the 40 immigration officers) under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act and five others under the Immigration Act, while another 27 have been made subject to disciplinary action such as suspension and dismissal, and two others have resigned.

"Of the 33 civil servants, 13 were charged in court, 16 were acquitted and four others are still being investigated.

"This proves that we will take stern action and no longer compromise with those who are involved in the crimes," he said.

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the transfer to Sabah and Sarawak of nine police personnel under investigation for alleged involvement in a recent extortion case in Gombak, Hamzah said the police would review the decision.