PETALING JAYA, May 29 — Only low ranking police and government officials are being sacrificed to protect human trafficking kingpins, Transparency International Malaysia President Datuk Akhbar Satar said yesterday.

“According to reports, 12 policemen have been picked up over links with human traffickers but there has been little information on the actual trafficking syndicates,” he said. 

Akhbar said if the relevant agencies — Pasukan Gerak Khas (PGK) and Unit Pencegah Penyeledupan (UPP) — have been doing their jobs they should have identified the heads by now.

“It is surprising there have been no mention of the masterminds. 

“The attention and media coverage on the Rohingya refugee crisis is finally waking people up to the problem. And they want immediate action.”

He said Malaysian intelligence officers at Songkla Consulate should stop slacking off and actively gather intelligence on these activities.  

“Human trafficking on this scale should be considered a national security threat. Without collusion between the authorities and syndicates, these large scale operations would be impossible.

“The camps did not materialise by themselves. Somebody knew of the horrific activities taking place at the death camps as there were steel cages, permanent structures and water tanks found there,” said Akhbar.

“Security should never be compromised, it is non-negotiable and the lack of effective enforcement might inspire others with evil intentions.”

“Today it is human trafficking, tomorrow it might be some militant group that decides to set up operations there. What will the explanation be then?”  

While there is a wall between Danok and Padang Besar to keep smugglers and human traffickers out, there is no barrier, not even a fence, between Wang Kelian and Kuala Perlis.  

PGK and UPP handle border security but there is a lack of a specialised border force equipped with resources to work effectively to prevent illegal border crossings.

“Immigrants have been walking right across for years because it is so easy. A major overhaul is urgently needed including a specialised border unit. We don’t need any more empty promises,” he said.

“The authorities need to admit there is a problem and not cover it up. The recent discovery of mass graves near Wang Kelian has resulted in the public demanding answers.

“Our own officials are betraying the country. Low level officers are frustrated as they are not in decision making positions.”