The matter was conveyed by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to the US Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Susan Coppedge, during their meeting at Perdana Putra here today.

Zahid, who is also home minister, said he had also explained the efforts undertaken by Malaysia in combating human trafficking, without neglecting the victims’ well-being, in line with international practice.

“The Malaysian Government’s initiatives must get full support from various quarters, including non-governmental organisations (NGO).

“Amendments made to domestic laws on this crime have also opened the door for participation and involvement of NGOs, especially in the aspect of protection for the victims,” he said in a statement.

Coppedge, who is also senior adviser to the US Secretary of State, is on a two-day visit to Malaysia following the Trafficking in Persons report (TIP) 2016 issued by the US State Department’s Office in Washington on June 30.

The US government’s assessment on 188 countries in terms of prevention, prosecution and protection, saw Malaysia remaining in the Tier 2 Watchlist on human trafficking this year.

Zahid said efforts taken by Malaysia were not just based on the US government’s recommendation, but also done after taking into consideration Malaysia’s obligations as Asean member country, following the acceptance of the Asean Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and the Regional Plan of Action on the crime.

He said the two instruments had been approved by Asean countries in Kuala Lumpur last November.

Meanwhile, Coppedge will also meet with senior officials of relevant ministries and agencies and attend an interaction session with members of the High Level Committee on Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO) chaired by Zahid.

The interaction session was to discuss the recommendations given by the US State Department for Malaysia to improve the country’s ranking in next year’s report.