PM Najib Warns Of Stern Action Against Human Traffickers

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Friday expressed concern over the plight of migrants in the Southeast Asian region, and said Malaysia would not tolerate any form of human trafficking. "I am very concerned with the plight of migrants in our region, some of whom have already reached our shores and still others who are trying," he said in his blog, www.najibrazak.com. He also promised stern action against human traffickers. "Malaysia does not and will not tolerate any form of human trafficking. "Anyone found to be perpetrating this injustice and contravening our laws will be held accountable," he said. Earlier this week, more than 1,000 Bangladesh nationals and Rohingya from Myanmar arrived by boats in Langkawi after they were allegedly abandoned by people smugglers. They are now in the custody of Malaysian immigration authorities. Najib said the Foreign Ministry and the National Security Council were taking the necessary action to deal with the situation. "This is an issue of international and regional importance. We are in contact with all the relevant parties with whom we share the desire to find a solution to this crisis," he said. --BERNAMA