KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — The Foreign Affairs Ministry and National Security Council (NSC) will deal with the humanitarian crisis that has seen migrants stranded at sea, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The Prime Minister said he was concerned with the plight of migrants in the Asean region, some of whom have already reached Malaysian shores while others are still trying to do so.
“This is an issue of international and regional importance. We are in contact with all relevant parties, with whom we share the desire to find a solution to this crisis.
“Malaysia does not and will not tolerate any form of human trafficking. Anyone found to be perpetrating this injustice and contravening our laws will be held accountable,” said Najib in a statement yesterday.
The Foreign Ministry said Asean would work towards adopting the Asean Convention on Trafficking in Persons as a solution to the issue of human trafficking, which has led to the humanitarian crisis that has seen a rise in migrants being stranded at sea.
The convention is to get collaboration among Asean countries on investigation and prosecution of trafficking in persons’ cases as well as providing help to victims.
“The Government is concerned with the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh into Malaysia and remains committed to working closely with the affected countries and members of the international community in resolving the issue of illegal immigrants and human trafficking in the region.
“The Government also strongly condemns the acts of the people smuggling syndicates that have resulted in the deaths, injuries and inhumane conditions of those illegal migrants,” it said in a statement Friday.
✉️ malaysiaaktif.my[dot]gmail.com
