TANAH MERAH: Cross-border crimes in Malaysia, particularly human trafficking, along with job scams, drug trafficking, and firearms smuggling, are on the rise, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Saifuddin said that not only Malaysia but neighbouring countries like Thailand and Myanmar were grappling with high rates of cross-border crime.
He said that human trafficking cases in Malaysia involved both local and foreign perpetrators.
"During the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime in Vientiane last week, several countries, including Malaysia and China, discussed these issues. We have agreed to enhance our cooperation and implement joint action plans to combat these crimes. The situation is dynamic, and we have identified cases where Malaysians have become victims in various countries," he said.
Speaking at a press conference after launching the state's Baitul Mahabbah initiative, Saifuddin said that the ministry had a list of Malaysians who were rescued from trafficking and those still awaiting rescue.
"There have been instances where rescued Malaysians returned to the same countries. Some were deceived by syndicates involved in illegal gambling and are now unable to return to Malaysia. When they can't come back, they seek government assistance," he added.
On a related note, Saifuddin said that the 18 detention centres across the country were not overcrowded.
"The total capacity of these centres is 20,000, and currently, we have fewer than 14,000 detainees, mostly from Bangladesh and Indonesia. The establishment of Baitul Mahabbah, a facility for children under 10, will help alleviate the overcrowding," he said.