KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Bill 2021, that could see offenders jailed for life.

       The amendments saw increases in punishment for several offences including the setting-up of an Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council.

       “The amendments involve increasing prison sentences between 15 and 20 years for human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

       “Apart from this, for the more serious crimes, the proposed amendments also increases the punishment to a maximum jail term of 30 years or similar to life imprisonment which also includes whipping,” Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said when tabling the Bill for its second reading in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Dec 15).

       Among examples of the more serious, he said, were those involving public servants discharging their duties and repeat offenders.

       “This includes causing serious injury or death to victims or resulting in victims contracting chronic diseases or committing suicide.

       “Also deemed serious offences are those involving children and OKU,” he added.

       “The increases in jail sentences, which includes whipping, is a sign of the seriousness of the government in punishing those with penalties fitting with their crimes,” he said.

       Under the amendments, he also said the membership to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council would be increased from three to five.

       He said the members would be made up of experts from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the community.

       “This is in line with aspirations of the Malaysian Family concept for greater involvement of NGOs and the community to prevent and protect victims,” he added.

       He informed the House that since 2015, a total of 1,915 cases of human trafficking and 1,052 smuggling of migrants were recorded.

       Of these, he said that 734 convictions were secured.

       “A total of 11,942 victims were saved and given protection during this period,” he added.

       During debates earlier, Hamzah said that the cooperation of all parties was needed to prevent human trafficking.

       He acknowledged that enforcement was also needed to target syndicates or agents possibly involved in human trafficking or migrant smuggling.

       Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon later announced that the Bill was passed by a voice vote in the Dewan Rakyat.