315 arrested for human trafficking offences

newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR (March 21, 2011): From Feb 28, 2008 until Feb 13 this year, 315 arrests have been made under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said.

During this period, 1,949 people have been rescued and placed under Interim Protection Order under the same law and subsequently, 735 victims have been given Protection Order.

“So far, 132 people have been charged in court under the act and of this, 31 cases have been convicted,” he told Datuk Baharum Mohamed (BN-Sekijang) who asked for the number of offenders prosecuted and convicted.

He said amendments to the act, to include smuggling of migrants, have been gazetted on Sept 30 last year and the amended act took full effect from Nov 15.

To his supplementary question, Lee told Baharum the government viewed seriously baby-selling syndicates which most of them were related to illegitimate newborns.

There were also cases of childless couples willing to spend a huge amount to get a child from the biological parents and later registering the baby as belonging to them, he said.

Lee said every birth in this country must be registered with the National Registration Department including those of foreigners and born out of wedlock, adding failure to do this is an offence under the law.

“Also, those who seek to adopt a child are advised to liaise with the Woman, Family and Community Development Ministry and register the baby as a legally adopted child.

“This is to avoid facing problems later such as with regards to issues relating to citizenship and religion,” he added.