STUDY LAWS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING - MINISTER

PUTRAJAYA, July 7 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun
Hussein wants agencies to conduct indepth studies on laws and regulations on
human trafficking to make enforcement more effective.

"A task force comprising all agencies and departments has to be formed as
human trafficking tactics change regularly.

"The ministry gives top priority to human trafficking as the country is
often used as a transit centre and this cannot continue," he said in a statement
here Tuesday.

He was commenting a statement by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
yesterday thanking Malaysia for cooperation in fighting human trafficking which
the latter described as a "cruel trade".

Hishammuddin also thanked Ruud for the cooperation and close relationship in
fighting human trafficking.


"He understands the situation and knows exactly the measures taken by the
Malaysian government," he said.

This showed that Australia had confidence in efforts taken by Malaysia on
human trafficking and that both countries were committed in finding a solution
to the problem.

Hishammuddin said for this to happen, both countries had to strengthen
bilateral ties between enforcement agencies.

Measures to check human trafficking to Australia include zoning by the
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Marine Operations Force.

"In addition, the issuance of visas to citizens of Afghanistan, Pakistan,
India and Sri Lanka had been tightened since last year.

"This include stopping the issuance of 'visa on arrival' to them," he said.

-- BERNAMA