Malaysia's upgrade to Tier 2 from Tier 2 Watch List of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report reflects the government's efforts led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in battling this inhumane crime.

Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said Malaysians, driven by their shared values of care and respect, remained united against human trafficking.

"More importantly and, in addition to international partnerships, Malaysia remains committed and will continue efforts in prevention, prosecuting of traffickers and the protection of victims," he told Bernama here Wednesday.

Salleh was commenting on the Trafficking in Persons Report 2017, an annual report issued by the United States State Department's Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Malaysia was in Tier 2 watchlist from 2015 and 2016, an upgrade from Tier 3 in 2014.

Tier 2 was accorded to the governments of countries that do not fully meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards. - BERNAMA