136 RESCUED FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKERS IN MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- A total of 136 people, including eight Malaysians, were rescued in 53 human trafficking cases from January to August this year, says the Home Ministry.

The ministry's secretary-general Mahmood Adam said on Thursday the victims -- 71 men, 40 women, 15 girls and 10 boys -- were sheltered nationwide.

The highest number of victims rescued were Myanmarese (41) followed by Pakistanis (31), Indonesians (27), Indians (10), Malaysians (eight), Filipinos (four), Thais (three), Vietnamese and Cambodians (two each) and Chinese (one), he said in a statement.

The statistics were tabled at an Anti-Trafficking in Persons and
Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council meeting chaired by Mahmood.

He said the arrests were made by the police, Immigration Department and Labour Department.

Malaysians formed the highest number of alleged traffickers arrested at 55 followed by Myanmarese (five), Indonesians (four), Chinese (two), and Thai and Indian (one each).

Of the 53 cases, 24 involved sexual exploitation, forced labour (19), baby for sale racquet (seven) and visa exploitation (three).

-- BERNAMA