THREE organised human trafficking syndicates were crippled and 55 victims of forced labour, sexual exploitation and job scam rackets were rescued last year, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic). The Home Minister said the ministry is stepping up efforts to combat human trafficking through tighter controls at the country’s entry points with coordinated operations by the police, Immigration Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Border Control and Protection Agency. The minister said a total of 145 human trafficking cases were investigated last year involving 274 arrests and 477 rescued victims. He was responding to Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) who asked about the ministry’s achievements in crippling human trafficking syndicates, particularly at the country’s entry points and action taken against officers involved or negligent in allowing syndicates to operate. On another matter, Saifuddin Nasution said a total of 42 deaths in custody were recorded last year.

Source: The Star February 06, 2026 12:09 UTC