Factors contributing to human trafficking in Malaysia / Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Nor

Human trafficking activities is one of the organized crime associated with the transnational crime. No countries are immune from this phenomenon. Malaysia was considered as one of the main destination country for men, women and children and to a lesser extent as a source and transit country. Sexual exploitation is the main human trafficking activities in Malaysia besides forced labour market where the girls from Southeast Asia region fulfil the local sex industries demand. The ATIPSOM Act 2007 are the main country’s primary policy and legislation in managing the human trafficking cases. This study adopts qualitative research methods by interviewing the policy administrator and four law enforcement officers who are the government bureaucrats which dealt with the human trafficking cases. The findings revealed that the factors contributed to the human trafficking activities in Malaysia caused by the international migration made by the foreigners, motivation of profit by the traffickers or agents, corruption issue and also weak law enforcement produced by the enforcement officers. However the border security issue also play a significant roles where the smuggling activities have a potential to the trafficking in persons to be happened. Moreover the human trafficking activities especially in sexual exploitation gives negative impact followed by the increasing number of vices spots and outlets. In combating this issue, the public awareness among local people need to be increased with the used of new media communication besides improving the quality of investigation and also cooperating with other foreign countries.