AN ANALYSIS OF THE POST-COVID-19 EFFORTS IN COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THE SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Malaysia has retained its Tier 3 status in the 2022 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report released by the United States Department of State, underscoring the persistence of human trafficking issues despite ongoing governmental efforts. This marks the fourth instance of the country being relegated to the lowest tier, reflecting the limited efficacy of measures to address human trafficking, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the Malaysian government introduced the National Action Plan on Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP 3.0) in March 2021, aimed at bolstering mechanisms to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling. However, these initiatives failed to yield improvements in the 2022 TIP ranking, which coincided with the reopening of international borders. Therefore, this study is aimed at examining the Malaysian government's efforts to address the pervasive challenges of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, with a specific focus on the development and implementation of NAPTIP 3.0. By analysing the mechanisms underpinning these initiatives, the paper evaluates their functional role in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling, particularly in the post-COVID-19 context. The research is based on a comprehensive analysis of policy documents, media reports, academic literature, official statements and interviews. The findings highlight that while the Malaysian government's efforts have been constrained, they represent meaningful progress towards addressing these issues. These endeavours were recognised in June 2023, when Malaysia was upgraded to the Tier 2 Watch List in the US TIP Report, and in 2024 when the country advanced to Tier 2.