BY JACINTHA JOLENE & JAMES WONG
KUCHING: The newly established Community Social Support Centre (CSSC) here is important to ensure the safety and welfare of victims of human trafficking.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the premises provided as a temporary centre will house victims found and rescued under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007.
“This place is important as a temporary centre for victims before going through the repatriation process, which is repatriation to their country of origin. Also, it acts as a stopover for them before getting an interim protection order.
“At the same time, this premises plays a role in managing victims who have the potential to be witnesses to an incident,” he said to reporters after visiting CSSC Kuching at Jalan Abell here, yesterday.
Therefore, he said such premises are important to support victims when attending court proceedings with the complete facilities in combating human trafficking issue.
Commenting further, he revealed that this country was in third position regarding the issue.
“We are in the third position in regards to human trafficking issue because we do not make many arrests, open less investigation papers and do not impose many punishments on those involved.
“If we succeed in implementing those three things, it is believed that the country’s performance will improve,” he said simply.
Following that, he said the attention and commitment given to logistics provision was able to contribute to a better position for Malaysia.
He also praised the equipment provided at the centre as a whole, adding that a long-term plan was needed in order to have its own permanent premises.
In addition, he also commended the efforts made by the state’s Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development for their initiative in providing food to the needy.
“It is very much in line with the principle of Malaysia Madani which was introduced by our Prime Minister by appreciating the value of compassion for the benefit of the people,” he explained.
Also present to accompany Saifuddin during the visit were Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah and her deputy, Datuk Rosey Yunus.
