In a statement, the home ministry described the achievement as international recognition of the country’s continuous efforts to combat human trafficking crimes.
“The report acknowledged that Malaysia has demonstrated significant efforts and progress in the fight against human trafficking,” it said.
It said the key achievements recorded included an increase in investigations, the prosecution of public officials, higher allocations of funds for anti-trafficking activities, expanded approval for work permits for victims, and amendments to the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances.
Other efforts included the launch of a trafficking data system, as well as the establishment of an anti-trafficking advisory group with the participation of NGOs, it added.
It said the US department of state had also outlined 15 areas for improvement for Malaysia to consider ahead of the next evaluation period, from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
“These include strengthening victim identification, enhancing investigations, abolishing recruitment fees, expanding cooperation with NGOs, and establishing a dedicated fund for the Victim Assistance Specialist (VAS) programme, including the appointment of VAS experts in Sabah and Sarawak,” it said.
The home ministry said the government had set several strategic directions in line with this, such as reinforcing public service integrity, establishing an internationally recognised victim management system, enhancing collaboration with CSOs and NGOs, as well as leveraging digital technology and artificial intelligence.
It said the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants, led by the ministry alongside other agencies, remained committed to implementing integrated measures, including addressing emerging trends such as job scam syndicates.
“The fight against this crime requires close cooperation from multiple stakeholders, including NGOs, CSOs, international organisations, academia and the employer sector, through a holistic approach based on the pillars of enforcement and law, protection and prevention,” it added.
It said the comprehensive approach would strengthen Malaysia’s effectiveness in combating human trafficking while ensuring greater protection for victims.