KUALA LUMPUR: Prosecutors handling human trafficking cases will be given training in the subject, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop.

He said this was to ensure that those caught and charged with the offences would not escape punishment due to lack of expertise.

“The Attorney-General’s Cham­bers is looking into speeding up the prosecution process for human trafficking cases.

“It is providing training to ensure that prosecutors are well-versed in the subject,” he said when launching the Stop Child Sex Trafficking campaign organised by The Body Shop here yesterday.

He said the training was in line with the move for effective enforcement against human trafficking following recent amendments to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

“We have introduced heavier penalties as a deterrent. Well-trained prosecutors will ensure that the culprits do not get away unpunished,” he said.

Under the amendments, which were approved by Dewan Negara on Aug 3, traffickers will be fined between RM500,000 and RM1mil, compared to between RM50,000 and RM500,000 previously.

The traffickers’ ill-gotten gains will also be forfeited upon conviction.

The amendments are meant to deal with the influx of illegal migrants seeking a better life in Malaysia and people using Malaysia as a transit point to get to another country.

Abu Seman said that between February 2008 and last month, authorities rescued 1,656 victims from 19 countries who had been placed under the Interim Protection Order.

Abu Seman said globally, more than 2.5 million people were trafficked each year involving transactions worth about US$38bil (RM119.5bil).

Read more: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/8/nation/6820902&sec=nation