HOME MINISTER ADMITS WEAKNESSES IN TACKLING HUMAN TRAFFICKING ISSUES

KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun
Hussein has admitted some weaknesses in the Malaysian government's policy in
tackling the issue involving victims of human trafficking.

Hence, he hoped the National Anti-Trafficking Action Plan which was launched
Wednesday, would help in improving those weaknesses.

"Human trafficking deals with two components -- the criminals and victims.
For the criminals, we have sufficient Malaysian laws to punish them severely but
on the part of victims, we have only so far, focused on protection for victims,
an ex-post solution.

"Hence, the plan we unveiled today will attempt to tackle the missing parts,
especially in providing preventative measures to protect the victims, an ex-ante
solution such as educating and informing our society on the seriousness of this
crime and the negative repercussions that it has on them," he told reporters
here.

Earlier, Hishammuddin launched the action plan which set the objectives and
focus to prevent and combat human-trafficking activities over the next five
years.

The plan comprises five guiding principles, including the emphasis on the
government ownership to deal with the problem, participation of civil societies,
human rights-based treatment for victims and effective coordination among
related government agencies and international bodies.

Also present was Women, Family and Community Development Minister
Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Commenting on reports that international syndicates had used Malaysia as a
transit hub for human trafficking, Hishammuddin said the activity was not as bad
as reported.

"The country's image depends mostly on foreign perception. Action which we
have taken are much more significant than that taken by other countries which
were not given the same perception.

"We are not good at bragging about ourselves. I admit we have our
weaknesses but they are not as bad as described by the international community,"
he added.


To a question, Hishamuddin said the government was not planning to abolish
visa on arrival (VOA) facility, despite abuses by tourists from certain
countries.

"We have revoked the VOA facility given to many countries, but we are not
planning to abolish it completely because they are some countries which did not
pose any problem.

"We don't burn down the mosquito net just because we are irritated by a
mosquito," he said.

Meanwhile, Shahrizat hoped the government would set up more women and child
protection centres, according to the zones, since 80 per cent of those who fell
victim to human trafficking were women and children.

"Right now, we have only three shelters, one for the women, and two for the
children. So far, over 400 women and 44 children are placed here, and 159 of the
women are victims of human trafficking.

"Many victims are bought here for prostitution, forced labour and other
illicit purposes...if left unchecked, the number would escalate and bring forth
antecedent social repercussions," she said.

-- BERNAMA