PUTRAJAYA: A total of 67 convictions from 254 cases of trafficking in persons were recorded as of June this year.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said of the total convictions, 43 cases involved human trafficking offences while the other 24 were elements of human trafficking.
"A total of 363 arrests were recorded from January to May this year.
"The government views the involvement of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in managing the trafficking victims as a positive development and this should be continued to ensure the welfare of the victims is protected.
"This is in line with the country's commitment to implement the amendment to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which has been enforced since Nov 2015," Zahid said in a statement.
Earlier, Zahid chaired the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Migrants Smuggling High Level Committee Meeting.
As part of its support towards the collaboration between the government and NGOs, the government also donated more than RM1.3 million to Good Shepherd Welfare Centre and Tenaganita Sdn Bhd to fund the pilot project on human trafficking victims management.
The government also announced that three shelter homes for the victims in Sabah, Selangor and Penang will be part in the collaboration.
"In the meeting, we also took note that World Day Against Trafficking in Persons will be held on July 30 as contained in the United Nation's resolution in 2013. This is to raise awareness on such crime and the importance to protect the victims.
"Therefore, the government and NGOs will organise a programme on that day at Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park.
"Among the activities include a contest to develop an application related to trafficking in persons, and introduction to complaint centre for such crime with the collaboration with 1Malaysia One Call Centre," he said.