Causes of Human Trafficking In Malaysia and What Are The Solutions to Overcome It?

Human trafficking is a crime where in this case humans are used as victims to be traded illegally. This case is rife from year to year which has increased significantly. Human trafficking can also cause victims to lose their human rights legally.

Since the 1990s, human trafficking has become a very serious issue in Malaysia because it greatly affects security and human rights. In 2007, the United States government through its Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) highlighted attention to this problem in Malaysia. In response, the Malaysian Government passed the Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2007 (Act 670)/AAPO 2007 to combat the crime.

The factors that influence the occurrence of human trafficking both in Malaysia and in other countries, including; Economic factors, human resources, low level of education and lack of strict supervision from the government and agencies related to the distribution of migrant workers.

In addition, human trafficking in Malaysia can occur because of its strategic location in Southeast Asia so that the economy in Malaysia develops which becomes the center of economy and trade. The main challenge facing Malaysia is how to legally protect migrants' human rights.

Several steps and actions have been taken by the Malaysian government to suppress human trafficking, but this has not been maximally successful. Example; The Malaysian government has combated human trafficking, including policy, legislation, law enforcement, care and protection, media and publicity, and awareness, but the measures have not been successful. This was highlighted by the United States in a 2021 report on human trafficking, Malaysia ranked 3rd.

Human trafficking can also have a negative impact on the victim's side. Responding to the phenomenon of human trafficking in Malaysia, one of the lecturers of the international relations study program at Singaperbangsa University Karawang Fadhlan Nur Hakiem, S.IP, M.SI said that victims of human trafficking can lose their human rights legally. This happens because they work in Malaysia illegally and have no legal certainty. Furthermore, the victim also felt cheated because the field promised earlier was different from what he got in Malaysia.

In addition to what Fadhlan revealed, victims can also experience very serious repercussions, such as forced relocation and sexual or work slavery. On the other hand, victims also often experience deep psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and insomnia. Victims also feel isolated and lose trust in others.

In connection with the increasing occurrence of human trafficking, steps are needed to overcome it. However, in this case, it is not only the government that must be held accountable but must involve various actors, including international organizations, legal advocates, social workers and human rights activists who have an important role in handling human trafficking.

The important role of international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) cannot be ignored. "IOM provides rehabilitation, reintegration and psychosocial support services to help victims recover from trauma and help them return to their lives," Fadhlan said in an interview in Karawang, Thursday (28/03/24).

In overcoming the occurrence of human trafficking from Fadhlan's point of view, a comprehensive cross-sectoral and strengthening law enforcement, increased protection of migrant workers and closer international cooperation can be key in solving this problem. In addition, improvements in the economy and education are also needed to reduce vulnerability to exploitation.

The government and the private sector can play a role in overcoming the occurrence of human trafficking abroad, they can take action in the form of providing adequate employment in the country and also improving human resources in all fields, both education and skills. The government can also increase national economic development, so that people's welfare will increase. Thus, social workers are not easily influenced to work abroad.

Good cooperation is needed to overcome the occurrence of human trafficking, both government and related agencies. As Fadhlan has stated that the government is responsible for policy and law enforcement. While international organizations assist in providing direct assistance to victims. Human rights activists and legal advocates monitored policy implementation and provided legal protection to victims.

Human trafficking remains a major focus in Malaysia, but good collaborative cooperation and policy implementation and implementation are needed concretely and decisively. The importance of awareness of victims' rights and the need for assistance from various actors in society lay the foundation for the next steps in efforts to eradicate human trafficking in Malaysia.