M'SIA: NATIONAL ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT HUMAN-TRAFFICKING

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will formulate a National Action
Plan to combat human trafficking, the Home Ministry said Friday.

In a statement, the ministry said the action plan was decided at the
Anti-Human Trafficking Council (MAPO) meeting yesterday.

MAPO is a council entrusted with the responsibility to monitor the
implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007 and the issues of
human-trafficking involving Malaysia at the national, regional or international
level.

The meeting, chaired by the Home Ministry Secretary-General Mahmood
Adam, also made several decisions to combat crimes including setting up more
protection centres for women and children according to zones, including in Sabah
and Sarawak, with considerations on the need for similar centres for men.

Immediate action should be taken by the Enforcement Committee, comprising
the police, Immigration Department, Customs Department and the Malaysian
Maritime Enforcement Agency to monitor air and land entry points as well as the
national maritime borders.


"Cooperation with the non-governmental organisations at the regional and
international level to be enhanced while a special committee to monitor
labour-trafficking crimes chaired by the Human Resources Ministry to be set up,"
it said.

A Media and Publicity Committee for Anti-Human Trafficking will also be set
up to organise campaign and activities to increase public awareness on
human-trafficking crimes.

"Apart from the Home Ministry, MAPO is also joined by the Attorney-General
Department; Women, Family and Community Development Ministry; Human Resources
Ministry; Information, Communication and Culture Ministry as well as the
Transport Ministry.

"Also involved are the National Women Council Organization, Human Rights
Commission of Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's research fellow,"
the statement said.

-- BERNAMA