PUTRAJAYA, Nov 11: The new National Action Plan on Anti-Trafficking in Persons 2026-2030 (NAPTIP 4.0) will have prosecution provisions to hold civil servants accountable for being complicit in human trafficking, says Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
NAPTIP 4.0 would be a continuation of the successes achieved under NAPTIP 3.0, he told a press conference after attending the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (WDAT) event here yesterday.
Saifuddin said that the new action plan would focus on identifying victims in high-risk sectors, strengthening investigation and prosecution capacities, including improving access to interpreters, as well as enhancing case coordination and management.
“This includes strengthening the role of Victim Assistance Specialists in Sabah and Sarawak, enhancing data integration, digitalising enforcement processes, standardising victim protection efforts nationwide, and reinforcing cross-agency, intergovernmental, and non-governmental cooperation, to build a more agile and effective national response ecosystem,” he said.
According to him, the implementation of NAPTIP 3.0 has shown positive outcomes, as Malaysia maintained its Tier 2 ranking in the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2025, released on Sept 30 in Washington.
He said that the rating reflected international recognition of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory mechanisms, dismantle syndicate networks, enhance transparency and accountability among agencies, and reinforce victim-centred recovery initiatives.
“The government stands firm on its zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking, a heinous crime which robs individuals of their dignity and freedom,” he said.
Launched in March 2021, NAPTIP 3.0 outlines Malaysia’s strategies and actions to combat human trafficking over the implementation period.
— BERNAMA