Malaysia ‘immune’ to US criticism of trafficking

By JULIA ZAPPEI
From Associated Press

Malaysia’s government pledged Wednesday to address U.S. claims that it has not done enough to combat forced labor exploitation, but urged Washington not to make “unfair” accusations.

The U.S. State Department’s annual “Trafficking in Persons Report” _ which is meant to expose trafficking problems around the world and propose solutions _ put Malaysia on its list of top trafficking offenders Tuesday.

Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the government was not surprised by the criticism, adding that “after awhile, you get immune to these things.”

Malaysia has been singled out before for its record on human trafficking, although this was its first appearance in the State Department’s report.

Hishammuddin said authorities would seek specific details from the U.S. on why Malaysia was included in the list and take action to reduce the possibility of future criticism.

“We will do whatever it takes, whatever possible, but of course, there are limitations,” Hishammuddin told reporters.

“You know our border, our shore line is very porous,” he said. “If they are realistic about it, then they will take that into consideration. But otherwise I feel that making judgments on something that is beyond our control will be unfair.”

The U.S. report said Malaysia is a destination and source “for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and for men, women and children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor.”

Countries cited for failing to take adequate steps to address trafficking can be subject to limited sanctions.

The report recommended that Malaysia fully implement and enforce its anti-trafficking laws _ which have been in place for several years _ and increase prosecutions, convictions and sentences for both sex and labor trafficking.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said in an April report that illegal Myanmar migrants deported from Malaysia have been forced to work in brothels, fishing boats and restaurants across the border in Thailand if they had no money to buy their freedom.

Malaysia has said it found no evidence to support the claim that thousands of deported Myanmar migrants were handed over to human traffickers in Thailand. (AP)