Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUALALUMPUR1017
2008-11-17 09:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:  

MALAYSIA: INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR TRAFFICKING IN

Tags:  PHUM PGOV PREL ELAB SMIG KCRM KWMN KTIP MY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2595
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHKL #1017/01 3220933
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 170933Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1989
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 001017 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/TIP, PRM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ELAB SMIG KCRM KWMN KTIP MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR TRAFFICKING IN
PERSONS 2008 SPECIAL WATCH LIST COUNTRIES

REF: A. STATE 111886 - INSTRUCTIONS

B. KUALA LUMPUR 1010 - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER HEARS
TIP CONCERNS

C. KUALA LUMPUR 955 - NEW TIP SECRETARIAT

D. KUALA LUMPUR 940 - FINNISH COMPANY ASSISTS VICTIMS

E. KUALA LUMPUR 934 - AMBASSADOR'S LETTERS

F. KUALA LUMPUR 880 - TIP ACTION PLAN DELIVERED

G. KUALA LUMPUR 799 - STAFFDEL DISCUSSES
TRAFFICKING OF BURMESE

H. STATE 99723 - TIP ACTION PLAN

I. KUALA LUMPUR 653 - AMBASSADOR MEETS HUMAN
RESOURCE MINISTER

J. KUALA LUMPUR 495 - BURMESE ALLEGE BEING TRAFFICKED

K. KUALA LUMPUR 460 - FORCED AND CHILD LABOR REPORT

L. KUALA LUMPUR 448 - AMBASSADOR MEETS WOMEN'S
MINISTER

M. KUALA LUMPUR 422 - TRAFFICKER CHARGED

N. KUALA LUMPUR 392 - AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH AG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 001017

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/TIP, PRM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ELAB SMIG KCRM KWMN KTIP MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR TRAFFICKING IN
PERSONS 2008 SPECIAL WATCH LIST COUNTRIES

REF: A. STATE 111886 - INSTRUCTIONS

B. KUALA LUMPUR 1010 - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER HEARS
TIP CONCERNS

C. KUALA LUMPUR 955 - NEW TIP SECRETARIAT

D. KUALA LUMPUR 940 - FINNISH COMPANY ASSISTS VICTIMS

E. KUALA LUMPUR 934 - AMBASSADOR'S LETTERS

F. KUALA LUMPUR 880 - TIP ACTION PLAN DELIVERED

G. KUALA LUMPUR 799 - STAFFDEL DISCUSSES
TRAFFICKING OF BURMESE

H. STATE 99723 - TIP ACTION PLAN

I. KUALA LUMPUR 653 - AMBASSADOR MEETS HUMAN
RESOURCE MINISTER

J. KUALA LUMPUR 495 - BURMESE ALLEGE BEING TRAFFICKED

K. KUALA LUMPUR 460 - FORCED AND CHILD LABOR REPORT

L. KUALA LUMPUR 448 - AMBASSADOR MEETS WOMEN'S
MINISTER

M. KUALA LUMPUR 422 - TRAFFICKER CHARGED

N. KUALA LUMPUR 392 - AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH AG


1. (U) Embassy Kuala Lumpur provides the following
submission as an interim assessment of targeted actions by
Malaysia on trafficking in persons (TIP) since April 2008, as
requested ref A.

Implementing and Enforcing the Law
--------------


2. (SBU) Malaysia is in the process of implementing its
comprehensive anti-trafficking law, which went into full
force on February 28, 2008. The Home Ministry established a
TIP Secretariat. The Secretariat, among other
responsibilities, provides support to the national Anti-TIP
Council and its three committees (Enforcement, Legislative,
and Protection). The Police constituted a special TIP task
force within its Organized Crime Division. The Attorney
General's Office (AGO) stated it will also form a TIP task
force when the TIP caseload achieves a critical mass. Since
the law went into effect, law enforcement officials rescued
59 women and children whom officials identified as suspected
TIP victims. Rescued victims included nationals from
Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, India, and Vietnam. Pending
their repatriation, suspected TIP victims rescued by

authorities are housed in two designated government-operated
TIP shelters, where they receive counseling, medical
screening, and other social services. The government
officially registered a third shelter in Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, East Malaysia, on November 13. The government is
proceeding with the establishment of additional shelters,
including in Johor. Police investigated alleged baby-selling
syndicates, rescuing at least nine babies and charging 15
suspects with criminal charges. The AGO currently is
prosecuting six sex trafficking cases, involving seven
suspected traffickers. One suspected trafficker absconded
and that case remains pending until his recapture.


3. (SBU) The government's Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA)
charged Wahid Md. Don, Director-General of Immigration and
his deputy with graft. Wahid is accused of accepting a
60,000 ringgit (about $17,150) bribe from recruiting agents
to approve visas for 4337 Bangladeshi workers, vulnerable to
trafficking. Yusof Abu Bakar, Deputy Director-General of
Immigration, faces nine charges for allegedly accepting
82,900 ringgit (approximately $23,685) to extend the visas of
Chinese nationals in Malaysia. (Note: We suspect that at
least some of the Chinese nationals were vulnerable and
perhaps subject to trafficking for sexual or labor
exploitation. End note.) The alleged crimes took place
between March 21 and June 25, 2008. The Home Minister
relieved the two men of their duties after the ACA filed
charges. Officials from the AGO, Foreign Ministry, and Home
Ministry have begun to probe allegations that Immigration
officials were complicit in trafficking Burmese refugees to
the Thai border. Members of Parliament raised the
allegations in Parliament.

Disseminating Information
--------------


4. (U) The AGO developed and disseminated guidelines for
processing TIP cases to magistrates. The government
conducted various workshops to train personnel from the
Women's Ministry, law enforcement, AGO, and the judiciary on
implementing and enforcing the new anti-TIP law, and invited
outside observers including U.S. Embassy personnel. The
government sponsored two international
workshops/consultations to share ideas and methods with
fellow ASEAN member and representatives from the diplomatic
missions the U.S. and Australia. The Royal Malaysian Police
hosted a workshop from October 28-30 and the AGO hosted

KUALA LUMP 00001017 002 OF 002


regional/international consultations on November 15. Senior
government officials publicly commented on Malaysia's role in
the regional and global fight against trafficking.

Actions Not Yet Taken
--------------


5. (SBU) We do not have information on any GOM efforts to
review MOUs with source countries to incorporate victim
protection provisions and to prohibit passport or travel
document confiscations. The Immigration Department is
currently phasing-in a new identification card for foreign
workers. In lieu of carrying a passport, these ID cards
provide official documentation to migrant workers, allowing
freedom of movement in Malaysia, and thus reducing migrant
workers' vulnerability to trafficking. The GOM has yet to
incorporate an awareness campaign directed at clients of the
sex trade and labor employers.
KEITH