PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today received a courtesy call from the United States' Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Susan Coppedge.
The visit was a follow-up of the US' State Department's 2016 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on June 30, where Malaysia remained on the Tier 2 Watch List.
During the 30-minute meeting, Coppedge discussed the recommendation by the US State Department for Malaysia to improve the country’s assessment level for next year’s report.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said efforts have been taken by the country to combat trafficking without compromising the welfare of trafficking victims, in line with international level practices.
“The country is ready to work with the US in the field of capacity-building that touches on prosecution and conviction; and also identifying individuals who have the potential to become victims of labour exploitation and forced labour,” he said in a statement.
He said the efforts were not only based on the recommendations by the US State Department, but also took into account the country's obligations as an Asean member following the acceptance of the Asean Convention in Combating Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children; and the regional action plan on such crimes.
The statement said the government’s initiatives need support from various parties including non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It said the amendments to the domestic legislation concerning this crime allowed the participation and involvement of NGOs, especially on victims’ protection aspects.