KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia moves up to the second tier of its worldwide standings in the fight against human trafficking, as announced in the latest US State Department's 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.
The Home Ministry, in a statement, hailed the upgrade as a strategic and critical achievement, attributing it to the concerted efforts of various stakeholders.
It highlighted the key achievements which included increased investigations, significant convictions, comprehensive awareness programmes, prosecution of public officials, more labour trafficking prosecutions, funding for shelters, and approval of free movement for trafficking victims.
Emphasising the importance of inclusive partnerships, the ministry underscored the need to fortify legal frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, protection measures, and prevention strategies in Malaysia's anti-trafficking initiatives.
The country was last rated with the status in 2017 and had been on the "Tier 2 Watchlist" in 2023.
The TIP report also outlined 16 areas for improvement and action plans for the next evaluation period with an emphasis at providing unconditional victim-centred services.
"We will focus on three primary aims to guide Malaysia's continued efforts; enhancing inter-agency cooperation, intensifying victim identification and protection, and improving the prosecution process.
"The Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council (Mapo), led by the Home Ministry in collaboration with other government entities, is committed to these initiatives," said the ministry.