How US Speaker’s visit spurred action against human trafficking

 

Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, visiting the Dewan Rakyat last month. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: An MP has questioned whether Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, should visit Malaysia more often before the government takes action against human trafficking.

Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto said home minister Hamzah Zainudin had abruptly tabled a motion about Malaysia’s low standing in a US report on trafficking only after Pelosi arrived in the country for an official visit.

A week before, opposition attempts to discuss the report had been rejected, she said.

She said that when Pelosi came, all MPs suddenly received a letter saying the home ministry was going to table the report and that it was open for debate.

“However, we had brought this up a week before and (Hamzah) dismissed it,” she told FMT. In July, opposition motions were repeatedly rejected by the Speaker, Azhar Harun, for failing to show the matter was of urgent public interest.

Kasthuri said the tabling of the motion was done haphazardly, she said. Only one MP from each party was allowed to debate the matter, even though many MPs had more to say.

“It was a shame because he turned it into a political act. If that’s the case, I wish Nancy Pelosi will visit Parliament more often. So that all these issues of national security will quickly be tabled by the minister and we can all deliberate on them.”

Kasthuri said enforcement officers at sea must be given the best technology and equipment. “You expect our men to protect our borders at sea and you give them the minimum. Then, you scold them when smugglers enter our waters,” she said.

Kasthuri called for accountability by the government in managing funds and resources.“The public accounts committee should investigate allegations of money going to the wrong place,” she said.

The US Trafficking In Persons report released in July recorded Malaysia as remaining on Tier 3, the lowest, last year. Malaysia had been on Tier 2 from 2018 to 2020.

Kasthuri said Hamzah should resign on the basis that there had been many human rights violations in detention centres, prisons and police lockups. - FMT