The Global Slavery Index 2016, published by the Walk Free Foundation, lists Malaysia as having the fifth highest slavery prevalence in Southeast Asia, behind Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei and Thailand.

The report showed that the 129,000 individuals, which equates to 0.4% of Malaysia’s population, were trapped in modern slavery.

It cited “forced labour” and “exploitation” within certain industries, such as the palm oil industry and electronics industry, as cases of such slavery in the country.

Globally, the report estimated 45.8 million men, women and children as being trapped in modern slavery, with two-thirds of them in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to the report, this is because the Asia-Pacific region provides low-skilled labour for global supply chains producing food, garments and technology.

North Korea was at the top of the list for the Asia-Pacific region, recording 4.37% of its population as being enslaved, with Malaysia at 11th position and Singapore at 19th.

Globally, Malaysia is at the 50th position.

The report also stated that the index was based on 42,000 interviews conducted in 25 countries and 53 languages, covering 44% of the global population.

The index notes that modern slavery existed in all 167 countries, with people being enslaved through human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, forced or servile marriage, or commercial sexual exploitation.