Seven immigration officers, two foreigners arrested for human trafficking in Malaysia

Seven immigration officers, two foreigners arrested for human trafficking in Malaysia

2010-10-13 22:16:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (BNO NEWS) -- Nine people, including seven immigration officers and two foreigners, were detained in Malaysia for allegedly trafficking humans, local authorities said on Wednesday.

Malaysia's Police Inspector-General Tan Sri Ismail Omar confirmed that the individuals were detained in several places between Sunday and Tuesday. They were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows indefinite detention without trial.

Ismail Omar also underlined that the Malaysian government is firm on preventing traffickers from using the country as a point of transit.

"The action taken is in line with the government's aspiration to prove to the international community that Malaysia is committed in fighting human trafficking," Ismail Omar said.

Suspected terrorists and government opposition have previously been detained under the ISA, but the use of the act in these types of cases are rare.

E. Nalini, Spokesperson for Voice of the Malaysian People - a human rights group - condemned the arrests, saying they should be charged under a conventional trial.

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