GEORGE TOWN, April 9 – Penang must to set up a task force to tackle human trafficking in the state said the Episcopal Commission for Migrants and Itinerants, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (EMI) chairman Sudhagaran Stanley.
He said it is time for the state government to gather the police, immigration, civil society and other relevant groups to come up with a two-year plan to combat human trafficking in the state.
“We need a fast solution to resolve this problem in Penang and this is only possible if all parties are sincere in their duty and come out full force to protect the victims and go after the criminal organisations involved on a full scale,” Sudhagaran said in a statement issued today.
Sudhagaran, who is also the coordinator for the Migration Working Group in Malaysia (MWG), said the police force must also be scrutinised so that there are no ties with criminal organisations.
He was responding to revelations by The Penang Stop Human Trafficking Campaign during a seminar last weekend on sex trafficking in Penang and the existence of a sex trade in Penang.
“The number of sex trades that are thriving in Penang is a wakeup call for Penangites and the state government,” he said.
He warned that the issue had been taken “very lightly” and if the situation was not curbed, the state will end up in situations where pimps and agents will openly approach visitors and tourists to offer sex service. Malay Mail.
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