Malaysia rescues 73 from human trafficking in nationwide operation

MALAYSIA: A total of 73 individuals, including 22 children and three disabled persons, were rescued from human trafficking syndicates during the nationwide operation named “Ops Mega Pintas,” conducted on 12 June.

Led by Bukit Aman CID’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) division (D3), the operation involved collaboration among various police departments and enforcement agencies, including the Immigration Department.

“We rescued 73 people—25 men, 26 women, and 22 children—from countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand,” stated Bukit Aman CID Deputy Director, Deputy Comm Fadil Marsus, during a press conference on Thursday (20 June).

DCP Fadil highlighted that these individuals had been subjected to forced labor and human trafficking.

Among the rescued were three disabled individuals: a local woman exploited for sex and two Bangladeshi men used by a beggar syndicate.

During the operation, 113 suspected human traffickers were apprehended nationwide, including both locals and foreigners from Bangladesh, Indonesia, China, and Thailand.

The investigation is ongoing under various laws, including Sections 12 and 14 of the Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling Act (ATIPSOM) 2007, as well as Section 55B, Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations 1963.

“The operation’s focus is to identify victims of human trafficking and forced labor using the national Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0,” he explained.

Emphasizing the severity of human trafficking activities, DCP Fadil affirmed that stringent actions would be taken against individuals and syndicates involved in such criminal acts.

“We view human trafficking activities seriously and will take stern action against those involved in such illegal activities,” he said.

DCP Fadil outlined indicators of forced labor, including physical violence against victims, confiscation of identification documents, non-payment of wages, excessive working hours, and poor living conditions.

He noted that movement restrictions are also common among human trafficking victims.

Furthermore, DCP Fadil indicated that traffickers use various tactics, including deceiving workers into undesirable jobs.

He suggested the possible involvement of job agencies from victims’ origin countries in deceptive practices.

“We are investigating the potential involvement of job agencies from origin countries in deceiving victims,” he commented.

DCP Fadil emphasized the police’s call for community cooperation in combating human trafficking, stressing the importance of reporting relevant information to authorities.

“We need the public’s cooperation to effectively combat human trafficking crimes,” he stated, urging individuals with information to come forward.

“Police welcome any information from the community regarding human trafficking,” he concluded.