KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) — Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Wednesday said there was an urgent need to set up a special court to expedite cases involving human trafficking.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that discussions were in progress between the Home Ministry and the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the setting up of the court to further improve the government’s efforts in combating human trafficking.
“The government is serious and is implementing various efforts to address this crime.
“It is true that prosecution of human trafficking cases have become an issue when there are 770 people arrested and only 173 charged, the number does not tally with the arrest,” Ahmad Zahid said in response to a supplementary question by Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) at Parliament sitting.
Bung Mokhtar wanted to know measures taken by the government to eliminate human trafficking and the punishment meted against offenders.
On foreigners entering the country on student’s visa, Ahmad Zahid said there were some who abused the visa by engaging in unlawful activities, including crime and working with certain syndicates.
To address the problem, operations are conducted by the relevant agencies, including the National Registration Department, the Immigration Department, the Civil Defence Department and the People’s Volunteer Corps, he added.
–BERNAMA
