719 Victims Of Human Trafficking Rescued Up To March 31

PUTRAJAYA (Bernama) - A total of 797 victims of human
trafficking
from 20 countries were rescued by the Malaysian law enforcement authorities up
to March 31 this year.

Home Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam said all the victims, 505 of
whom were women, 223 men and 69 children, had also obtained Interim Protection
Order (IPO) and were placed in shelter homes.

"The latest statistics show that those left at the shelter homes up to
yesterday were 50 women, 55 men and 23 children," he said in a statement after
chairing the Anti-Trafficking of Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council
meeting, here, Tuesday.

Mahmood said the enforcement authorities had also crippled the syndicate
involved in smuggling of migrants into Sabah with the arrest of 60 Filipinos
believed to have been smuggled into Sabah via the sea route.

He said the government had also collaborated with the Attorney-General of
Australia to tackle the issue of smuggling of migrants.

"Two representatives from the Attorney-General's Chambers will take part in
the Prosecutor Pairing Programme, scheduled for May 9 and 20 in Canberra and
Perth, Australia," he added.