AMBIGA KEEN ON BUILDING AWARENESS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) -- Former Malaysian Bar Council president
Ambiga Sreenevasan said she was keen to assist in building social
awareness on human trafficking in the country.

Ambiga, who recently received the International Women of Courage Award in
Washington, told a press conference here Thursday that human trafficking was an
area that needed to be addressed in Malaysia.

"While I was in Washington, we met with several organisations, one of which
was the department that deals with anti-human trafficking. Actually, there is an
ongoing project in Malaysia.

"I would like to see if I can assist with that. I believe Tenaganita is
well involved in that. It's an area that I think we need to address in
Malaysia," said Ambiga at the United States ambassador's residence.

She believed that although laws pertaining to the issue had come into force,
more work needed to be done.

"Trafficking (human) is an area that's very much tied up with illegal
immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. So, I think it is an issue that is far
more serious than we realise," she said.

When asked on other aspects of the advancement of women's rights that she
was interested in, she said she would continue in a network of support for
women's cause around the world.

"Obviously, my time there has given me an opportunity and opening where
I can communicate with the other seven award recipients. For a start, this
(support network) is something I would like to do," she said.

-- BERNAMA