KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — The protection of Malaysians who work abroad is subject to and protected under labour laws and human rights laws including human trafficking in the country concerned, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said the application of Malaysian labour laws or any laws in this country does not apply in foreign countries.
"Indeed, the Madani Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Malaysian Diplomatic Mission is always ready to provide appropriate consular assistance to Malaysians who encounter problems or difficulties while abroad.
"We also advise Malaysians to hold valid travel documents such as passports and visas and not hand over these documents to any party easily," he said at the Dewan Rakyat's Special Chamber session.
Mohamad was responding to the tabling of Subang MP Wong Chen's motion on measures to protect Malaysians who are victims of trafficking abroad.
Wong raised the issue of Mala Vello, 57, who was said to be a victim of human trafficking in Nepal and whose passport was confiscated in 2012, after marrying a Nepalese citizen.
She was then successfully brought back to this country in August.
The deputy minister said the responsibility to identify whether a person is a victim of human trafficking or not is subject to the local authorities and the interpretation provided in the law in Nepal.
This means that the authorities in Nepal will determine whether a case is a crime of human trafficking or not, based on the provisions of existing laws applicable in Nepal, and not based on Malaysia's Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act.
— Bernama
