Malaysia is intensifying efforts to increase the number of prosecutions and convictions in cases of human trafficking or modern slavery through close cooperation with the International Police (Interpol) and ASEAN National Police (ASEANAPOL) and exchange of intelligence information.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said these efforts were in line with the aspiration to improve Malaysia's position from the current Tier Two to Tier One in the United States (U.S) Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Watch List.
"We have been at Tier Two for two consecutive years and by 2020, we are determined to be upgraded to Tier One," he told the Malaysian media here Monday.
Also present was Malaysian High Commissioner to United Kingdom (UK) Datuk Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi.
Ahmad Zahid is here for a five-day working visit, which began Monday.
He said he would also discuss the matter with the UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd during their meeting, scheduled for Wednesday.
The upgrading of Malaysia's position to Tier One in the Watch List could expedite the approval for Malaysia's application to have visa-free entry to the U.S.
Ahmad Zahid said, prior to this, Malaysia had been facing problems to increase the number of perpetrators (in human trafficking cases) being brought to justice as not many people would appear as witnesses for the prosecution.
"The main problem faced by the prosecution in tackling cases of human trafficking is to get the key witnesses to attend the court proceedings.
"This is mainly linked to the existence of the global networking of traffickers," he said.
The deputy prime minister said, at present, the U.S found that even though the number of suspects in human trafficking cases arrested in Malaysia had risen to over 100 people, the number of those prosecuted and convicted was still small, and because of that, Malaysia was seen as 'not so serious' in tackling the problem.
As such, he said discussions had been held with the Attorney-General's Chambers to find the best methods to increase the number of prosecutions and convictions of the suspects.
So far, he said more than 30 suspects were charged with the offence and 50 others would be charged next year, including 10 who were extradited from Thailand on suspicion of involvement in the mass burial of victims of human trafficking in Wang Kelian, Perlis, last year.
Ahmad Zahid said UK and Malaysia had a mutual interest in human trafficking issue, which is also called modern slavery, and it was made clear during his meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May at the recent United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He said a more comprehensive effort should be done, especially after efforts taken by the United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organisation For Migration (IOM) to tackle the problem met a dead end.
The issue of modern slavery not only mattered in the European countries, but also in the ASEAN countries, especially Malaysia, which is among the popular destinations for foreign workers, he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid began his visit today with a meeting with Digital Barriers, a leading company in security equipment and software and global intelligence.
He also visited the Belmarsh Prison here and is scheduled to attend a dinner with Captains of Industry in the United Kingdom later.
Bernama
Mon Nov 07 2016
DPM would also discuss the matter with the UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd during their meeting, scheduled for Wednesday. - BERNAMApic
Hubungan kukuh Malaysia-China sangat istimewa - Ahmad Zahid
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi menyifatkan hubungan kukuh dua hala Malaysia dan China yang terjalin sejak 50 tahun lepas adalah sangat istimewa.
PTVM harap ekosistem kondusif bagi industri kandungan televisyen
Industri kandungan perlu dibentuk dengan lebih berstruktur bagi memastikan daya saing dan kemampuan menarik pihak korporat untuk melabur.
Angin kencang runtuhkan pentas politik di Mexico
Sebuah pentas perhimpunan kempen pilihan raya Mexico runtuh pada Rabu, menyebabkan 9 majut dan berpuluh lagi cedera susulan angin kencang
Perjalanan terakhir: Ebrahim Raisi dikebumikan di bandar suci Mashhad
Presiden Ebrahim Raisi dikebumikan di bandar suci Iran, Mashhad pada Khamis.
Protes universiti: Pelajar Harvard tamat pengajian protes untuk Gaza
Polis Britain menahan 16 individu kerana disyaki melakukan pencerobohan di Universiti Oxford pada Khamis, selepas penunjuk perasaan pro-Palestin mengadakan protes di pejabat naib canselor universiti.
Kekejaman zionis: Israel membedil stor milik kementerian, 12 terbunuh
Sejumlah 12 rakyat Palestin terbunuh apabila tentera Israel membedil sebuah stor milik kementerian kebajikan di timur bandar Deir Al-Balah di tengah Semenanjung Gaza pada Khamis.
Kekejaman zionis: PBB sambung semula bantuan melalui jeti di Gaza
Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) menyambung semula pengangkutan bantuan kemanusiaan yang tiba di jeti binaan Amerika Syarikat di luar pantai Semenanjung Gaza.
Industri landskap sasar sumbang 3.5 peratus KDNK menjelang 2035
Sasaran itu bakal disusuli dengan beberapa pelan tindakan melalui Blue Print Industry Landscape.
Kekejaman zionis: Keputusan Mahkamah Dunia mengenai serangan Rafah hari ini
Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) akan membuat keputusan pada Jumaat, mengenai permintaan Afrika Selatan untuk memerintahkan penghentian serangan Israel di Rafah, Gaza.
“Makkah Route Initiative” permudahkan urusan bagasi, perjalanan jemaah haji Malaysia
Jemaah haji Malaysia mendapat manfaat besar daripada "Makkah Route Initiative" yang kini memasuki tahun keenam.
Hubungan kukuh Malaysia-China sangat istimewa - Ahmad Zahid
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi menyifatkan hubungan kukuh dua hala Malaysia dan China yang terjalin sejak 50 tahun lepas adalah sangat istimewa.
Ahmad Zahid ajak rakyat Malaysia beri sokongan kepada pasukan sepak takraw negara
Ahmad Zahid ajak orang ramai sokong pasukan sepak takraw negara yang akan menentang Thailand pada perlawanan akhir Piala Dunia Sepak Takraw 2024, hari ini.
KKDW peruntuk RM1.5 bil dalam RMK12 untuk pembangunan luar bandar Sarawak
Ia bagi memudahkan pelaksanaan pelbagai upaya bagi mencipta masyarakat luar bandar yang kompetitif dan meningkatkan kualiti hidup mereka.
Kestabilan politik bawa pembangunan dan kemajuan di Sarawak - TPM Ahmad Zahid
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata kestabilan politik telah membawa banyak pembangunan dan kemajuan di Sarawak.
Kehadiran Armada Laut Turki terjemahan hubungan erat Malaysia-Turki
Hubungan erat kedua-dua negara telah berjaya membentuk kerjasama dalam pelbagai bidang termasuk industri pertahanan.
Monsun Barat Daya: Negara dijangka berdepan impak negatif, agensi kerajaan siap siaga
Negara dijangka berdepan pelbagai impak negatif susulan Monsun Barat Daya yang dijangka bermula bulan ini hingga September.
Pemimpin UMNO perlu teroka pendekatan baharu - Ahmad Zahid
Pemimpin UMNO juga perlu menjadi peneraju dalam pemikiran rakyat bagi mengekang fitnah yang dilemparkan oleh pihak tertentu.
Zahid nafi tawar individu jawatan Setiausaha Agung parti pada Pemilihan UMNO 2018
Ahmad Zahid berkata dakwaan yang ditimbulkan oleh individu itu, yang kini merupakan seorang pemimpin pembangkang serta dijadikan bahan kempen Pilihan Raya Kecil Kuala Kubu Baharu, adalah tidak benar.
Dasar Pengurusan Bencana Negara akan disemak semula - Ahmad Zahid
Dasar Pengurusan Bencana Negara akan disemak semula bagi meningkatkan daya tahan serta mengukuhkan kesiapsiagaan dan keupayaan negara dalam menguruskan bencana dengan lebih baik.
Malaysia kehilangan seorang lagi permata seni - Ahmad Zahid
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi merakamkan ucapan takziah kepada seluruh ahli keluarga Datuk Hail Amir yang meninggal dunia hari ini.