Migration Help
28th August 2009, 03:28 PM
M’sia and Australia to set up data base to keep tabs on human trafficking
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Australia will set up an integrated data base as a step toward tackling the problem of human smuggling and trafficking that is plaguing both countries.
Home Ministry deputy secretary general Datuk Raja Azahar Raja Abdul Manap said both countries would appoint a lead agency in their respective countries to collect the information from its enforcement agencies.
“For Malaysia, the focal point would be the Royal Malaysia Police where all information about human smuggling and trafficking would be channelled to them from our local enforcement agencies.
“For our counterpart, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Services would be their focal point because they are responsible for border control,” he said in a press conference Thursday after the morning session of the Malaysia-Australia Working Group Meeting on the Issue of Smuggling and Trafficking of Humans.
He explained that though enforcement agencies from both countries such as the Immigration have been working closely before this, the information was not channelled to the other enforcement agencies.
“Now, both lead agencies will gather the data and share the information among themselves. Information sharing is very important to us.
“What we have is knowledge to intercept but we don’t have knowledge about them reaching the shores of Australia,” he said, adding that both countries would meet up regularly to discuss about the issue also.
Raja Azahar said they were also looking into other aspects such as training and an awareness programme to enhance cooperation between both countries.
“Australia will provide us with campaign materials to raise awareness about human smuggling and trafficking.
“These materials would be translated into various languages and we would get the local leaders to distribute the materials.
“These would be distributed to people living at the borders because some of them are not aware that the activities they are involved in are against the law,” he said.
He added that they were also looking into a mechanism to tighten control at ports as it is a favoured passage for human smuggling and trafficking.
“We currently have a second layer of checking at the airport, where an Australian Immigration Airport Liason Officer is there to conduct checks just before passengers board a plane.
“This has been very effective and it has prevented people with forged documents to be smuggled into Australia. But because of this, these smugglers and traffickers have used other alternatives to enter Australia which is via the sea,” he said.
Raja Azahar explained that Australia is tackling the problem from the source, which is Malaysia.
“Australia is going straight to the source. They have identified Malaysia as a transit point. They hope to help Malaysia to resolve the problem,” he said.
On another matter, Immigration director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman said Malaysia who is hosting the Pacific Rim Intelligence Conference next month, would focus more on the issue of human trafficking and smuggling.
“In the conference, we are going to share our experiences and hope to deepen our knowledge on the issue as we are still very new to it,” he said.
The conference will be held for four days and will involve 13 countries and three countries with observer status.
SEE: The Star online - http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/27/nation/20090827172630&sec=nation
AND Xinhua Online - http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/26/content_11949076.htm
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Australia will set up an integrated data base as a step toward tackling the problem of human smuggling and trafficking that is plaguing both countries.
Home Ministry deputy secretary general Datuk Raja Azahar Raja Abdul Manap said both countries would appoint a lead agency in their respective countries to collect the information from its enforcement agencies.
“For Malaysia, the focal point would be the Royal Malaysia Police where all information about human smuggling and trafficking would be channelled to them from our local enforcement agencies.
“For our counterpart, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Services would be their focal point because they are responsible for border control,” he said in a press conference Thursday after the morning session of the Malaysia-Australia Working Group Meeting on the Issue of Smuggling and Trafficking of Humans.
He explained that though enforcement agencies from both countries such as the Immigration have been working closely before this, the information was not channelled to the other enforcement agencies.
“Now, both lead agencies will gather the data and share the information among themselves. Information sharing is very important to us.
“What we have is knowledge to intercept but we don’t have knowledge about them reaching the shores of Australia,” he said, adding that both countries would meet up regularly to discuss about the issue also.
Raja Azahar said they were also looking into other aspects such as training and an awareness programme to enhance cooperation between both countries.
“Australia will provide us with campaign materials to raise awareness about human smuggling and trafficking.
“These materials would be translated into various languages and we would get the local leaders to distribute the materials.
“These would be distributed to people living at the borders because some of them are not aware that the activities they are involved in are against the law,” he said.
He added that they were also looking into a mechanism to tighten control at ports as it is a favoured passage for human smuggling and trafficking.
“We currently have a second layer of checking at the airport, where an Australian Immigration Airport Liason Officer is there to conduct checks just before passengers board a plane.
“This has been very effective and it has prevented people with forged documents to be smuggled into Australia. But because of this, these smugglers and traffickers have used other alternatives to enter Australia which is via the sea,” he said.
Raja Azahar explained that Australia is tackling the problem from the source, which is Malaysia.
“Australia is going straight to the source. They have identified Malaysia as a transit point. They hope to help Malaysia to resolve the problem,” he said.
On another matter, Immigration director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman said Malaysia who is hosting the Pacific Rim Intelligence Conference next month, would focus more on the issue of human trafficking and smuggling.
“In the conference, we are going to share our experiences and hope to deepen our knowledge on the issue as we are still very new to it,” he said.
The conference will be held for four days and will involve 13 countries and three countries with observer status.
SEE: The Star online - http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/27/nation/20090827172630&sec=nation
AND Xinhua Online - http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/26/content_11949076.htm