TIP REPORT DELIVERED TO MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000481

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP -- RUTH KURZBAUER, AND G/TIP -- SALLY
NEUMANN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV SOCI KWMN MY
SUBJECT: TIP REPORT DELIVERED TO MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT

REF: A. STATE 58461 - MALAYSIA TIP REPORT DEMARCHE

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


1. (SBU) Post delivered the Malaysia narrative from the 2008
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on June 4 to various
government representatives from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA),Women's Ministry, Immigration Department,
Police, and Attorney General's Chambers. The Charge conveyed
the TIP report narrative and discussed trafficking issues
while hosting a luncheon for senior immigration officials,
including Director-General Wahid bin Md. Don and Enforcement
Director Ishak Mohamed. The officials expressed their
intention to continue making progress in combating
trafficking in persons.


2. (SBU) On June 4, poloff delivered the Malaysia narrative
to Carol Chew, Private Secretary to the Women's Minister.
Chew thanked us for providing a copy of the Malaysia
narrative prior to the report's public release and restated
the Minister's desire for good relations and an open dialogue
with the Embassy related to trafficking (ref B). Post also
delivered the TIP report on June 4 to Mohamad Nizan,
Principal Assistant Secretary in the MFA's Multilateral
Political Division. Nizan asked for clarification of the
factors that influenced Malaysia's placement on the Tier 2
Watch List. He said he needed to read the report before
commenting officially on its contents.


3. (SBU) The Deputy Chief of Mission met on June 6 with
Hussein bin Haniff, the Deputy Secretary-General,
Multilateral Political Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, to present the TIP report and receive the
government's response. Hussein stated Malaysia is committed
to combating trafficking and is taking a number of steps to
prosecute suspected traffickers. He expressed disappointment
Malaysia is on the watch list, comparing Malaysia's ranking
to other ASEAN member-states. He informed the DCM that
Malaysia intends to ratify the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress,
and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and
Children (TIP Protocol). The Cabinet is considering the TIP
Protocol's ratification. Hussein acknowledged that illegal
foreign workers in Malaysia are vulnerable to becoming
trafficking victims and said the government is working with
source countries to minimize illegal workers. The DCM
reiterated that the USG in committed to working with the
Malaysians on trafficking. He expressed the Embassy's
willingness to meet with Malaysian officials to discuss our
shared interests in taking further steps to combat TIP.
KEITH