July 06, 2009 16:34 PM

Malaysia, Australia To Enhance Cooperation In Combating Human Trafficking

PUTRAJAYA, July 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia on Monday said that stopping human trafficking and people smuggling is on the nation's main agenda.

Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith at Wisma Putra here, said Malaysia would step up efforts to check the crime.

He said Malaysia was not the only country affected by the problem as there were the "push and pull" factors.

"We are concerned about human trafficking and people smuggling but it is difficult to deal with the problem as some people do have genuine intention when they come here; to further their studies, do business or just to visit this country.

"We can't deny them entry but that's the problem -- some abuse the system," he said.

In combating the crime, he said, Malaysia sought assistance from neighbouring countries in watching over its coastal line.

"Malaysia has a very long coastal line and that is where the problem occurs," he said.

On the same issue, Smith said the Australian government was happy with the close cooperation built with Malaysia in tackling the problem.

Australia, he said, had been affected by the large number of immigrants flowing into the country due to the wars and economic hardship in their motherland.

"We are happy with the joint commitment to enhance not only the policy aspects but operationally. We are indeed working very closely, not only through bilateral arrangements but also the Bali Process on people smuggling, human trafficking and people movement issues," he said.

The Bali Process, co-chaired by the governments of Indonesia and Australia, brings participants together to work on practical measures to help combat people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crimes in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Initiated at the Regional Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime" in Bali in February 2002, the Bali Process follow-up is a collaborative effort participated by over 50 countries and numerous international agencies.

-- BERNAMA

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