KUALA LUMPUR: The ASEAN Declaration Against Trafficking In Persons (Actip) and Regional Plan of Action (RPA) drafts would be completed soon, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid said both documents would be prepared in accordance with the rule of law and strengthened by the judicial system in line with the Asean Convention.
“The draft is an effective step to combat human trafficking, especially of women and children,” he said at the Parliament lobby here yesterday to a question from Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad (BN-Kuala Kangsar) who wanted to know Malaysia’s stand, as the Asean chair, on illegal immigrants, human trafficking and drug smuggling.
Once adopted, the Actip will be the landmark achievement for Asean and its 10 member states as it reflects regional solidarity in combating human trafficking.
Ahmad Zahid said steps had been put in place to tackle such issues, including setting up a high level committee in July last year, amending the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007 and empower enforcement agencies to enforce the law and bring traffickers to justice and strengthening the secretariat of the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Mapo). — Bernama