NATIONAL ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACTION PLAN TO BE LAUNCHED ON TUESDAY

PUTRAJAYA, March 25 (Bernama) -- The National Anti-Human Trafficking Action
Plan which sets the direction and focus in eradicating human trafficking will be
launched on Tuesday.

Home Ministry Secretary-General Mahmood Adam said the five year
plan (2010-2015) will be launched by Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun
Hussein.

"It is the government's effort and commitment in eradicating human
trafficking. This problem has to be stamped out although it is a new scenario
for the nation," he said after a briefing on the plan at the ministry Wednesday
night.

The government had taken measures to check the problem including setting up
the Anti-Human Trafficking Council with the cooperation of international bodies
and countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

Mahmood said the Attorney-General's Chambers was studying the possibility of
placing the offence under the Immigration Act 1959/63 or the Anti-Human
Trafficking Act 2007 which carries a much heavier sentence.



Presently, offenders charged under the Immigration Act can be sentenced to
not more than three years' jail or RM15,000 (US$1=RM3.3) fine for harbouring
illegal immigrants.

Under the Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2007, offenders can be sentenced to not
more than 20 years' jail or RM500,000 fine or both.

He said the Attorney-General's Chambers was drafting the amendment papers to
be tabled at the next House of Representatives session.

Statistics from 2008 until March 15 showed that there were 202 human
trafficking cases with 282 people arrested while 1,252 were rescued.

They involve sex exploitation (143), forced services (43), human trafficking
(11), baby sale (4) and exploitation of children for visa (1).

The victims were from various countries including China (290), Sri Lanka
(216), Indonesia (203), Thailand (130) and Philippines (125).

-- BERNAMA