Dini Dalilah Wan Nordin, chairman of the Stop Human Trafficking Association (SHUT), said there was a mis
KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the public are advised not to be afraid in channeling information to the authorities or non-governmental organisations (NGO) on human trafficking activities, especially involving Malaysian citizens.
Stop Human Trafficking Association (SHUT) president Dini Dalilah Wan Nordin said among challenges faced by them and other NGOs, is that when the public fail to relay information, due to fear of the implications.
“Thus there is a lack of reports, because many are scared that they will be threatened and such. There is no need to be afraid because the authorities and NGOs will keep all information provided confidential,” she said in an interview with Bernama Radio today.
She added that there is a misconception within the public that human trafficking can only happen to migrants, causing cases involving local citizens not being reported.
“Among cases involving local citizens that had been reported to SHUT included prostituting of family members or girlfriends to pay debts,” she said.
Besides that, she said the public must also be more aware about human trafficking crimes during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the modus operandi has changed to cleaning services involving illegal immigrants.
She said information can be channeled to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council (MAPO) at 03-8000 8000 or email to mapo_tip@moha.gov.my besides through SHUT’s email at info@shut.org.my.
Meanwhile, Dini Dalilah said NGOs are collaborating as the strategic partners to the government in efforts to curb human trafficking in the country, among others, by relaying complaints from the public to MAPO.
“There are also NGO members who are appointed as the Protection Officers to the victims where they play an important role as the caregivers, or provide moral support until the victims’ conditions become stable,” she added. — Bernama
conception that trafficking could only occur to migrants, and no cases involving locals were reported. — Photograph of the Thomson Reuters Foundation
Kuala Lumpur, June 10 — The general public should not be afraid to inform authorities or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) about trafficking activities, especially those involving Malaysian citizens.
Dini Dalilah Wan Nordin, chairman of the Stop Human Trafficking Association (SHUT), said that some of the challenges facing them and other NGOs may prevent the general public from communicating for fear of their impact.
“There is a lack of reports because many people are afraid of being threatened in this way. Authorities and NGOs keep all the information provided secret, so don’t be afraid,” she said. He said in an interview with Bernama Radio today.
She added that there was a misconception that trafficking could only occur to migrants, and no cases involving locals were reported.
“Some of the cases involving local citizens reported to SHUT included prostitution of family members and girlfriends to pay off their debts,” she said.
In addition, she said she needed to be more aware of trafficking crimes during the Covid-19 pandemic as the method changed to cleaning services involving illegal immigrants.
She can send the information to the Trafficking Prevention Council (MAPO) 03-8000 8000 or email.
Meanwhile, Dini Dalilah said NGOs are cooperating as strategic partners in the government, and in particular, are working to curb domestic trafficking by communicating public complaints to MAPO.
“Some members of the NGO have been appointed to protect the victims, who play an important role as caregivers and provide psychological support until the victims are in a stable condition.” — Bernama
Anti-Trafficking Association urges public to report activities involving authorities, especially Malaysians | Malaysia