ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ACT: MALAYSIA`S HUMAN RIGHTS REGRETS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- As human trafficking is an intricate
crime, an overnight result should not be expected from the 18-month-old
Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (ATIP).

This is due to the complexities and wide range of stakeholders and actors
involved in the trafficking chain, notes the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia
(Suhakam).

"The multiple changes of hands and modus operandi between the time a person
is trafficked to the place they are found or rescued from, require continuous
efforts.

"Therefore, change cannot be expected at once," said Suhakam commissioner Dr
Raj Abdul Karim when expressing deep regret over Malaysia's downgrading from
Tier2 to Tier3 in the US Department of State's Trafficking In Persons Report
2009.

In a statement Saturday, she said the report should have been more balanced
and factual, and not merely fault finding.

The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2009 released on June 16 by the US
Department of State, indicated that Malaysia was downgraded to Tier 3 from Tier
2 for failing to fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking, and was not making significant efforts to curb TIP issues.

In 2007, Malaysia enforced the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act to prosecute
traffickers, besides protecting and rehabilitating the victims.

The act is aimed at upgrading Malaysia's status in tackling human
trafficking.

Dr Raj said it would not be possible to see results over a period of one
year (US ATIP reporting period) as the implementation of the act and efforts to
combat the inhumane crime of human trafficking took time to yield expected
results.

"As such, Suhakam fails to understand the US Department of State's system of
placing grades on a yearly basis.

"It should really be looking at efforts taken by the Government,
non-governmental organisations and the civil society to handle the issue," she
added.

-- BERNAMA