KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today expressed confidence that Malaysia will improve its ranking for the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report this year.
He said Malaysia is currently in Tier 3 and at a disadvantageous position.
"The report will be released tomorrow night and the Home Ministry will have an engagement session with the US Embassy here tomorrow before it is published,” he told reporters here at the Dewan Rakyat.
Saifuddin said Malaysia’s ranking was judged in four categories: enforcement, indictments, convictions, and regulation.
“During my time so far handling this matter with relevant parties, I am confident that we can improve,” he said, adding that Malaysia has improved in all four areas.
“Regulation aspect of trafficking victim protection is doing well; in fact, every state in Malaysia has a shelter for the victims.”
He added that Malaysia also conducted regular public awareness campaigns on human trafficking and organised frequent engagements between local agencies, their foreign counterparts, and related groups,
In February, Saifuddin said moving out of Tier 3 — the lowest — was important for Malaysia as the country was at risk of possible sanctions being imposed on local products.
Malaysia was in Tier 2 of the US TIP Report 2017, Tier 2-Watch List from 2018 to 2020, and Tier 3 in 2021 and 2022.
