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24th January, 2011
TAMPARULI: The grass is not always greener on the other side, learned Albert Joseph, 38, who once fell victim to a human trafficking ring in 1992.
As a local youth leader, he strongly advises job seekers to be wary and to get proper verification of employers from the authorities before accepting any offer.
“Don’t be fooled by empty promises and especially claims that wages are much higher in the peninsula. Bear in mind that the cost of living there is very high too,” he said.
He often recounts his bitter experience to others in the hope that it will deter them from becoming prey to human trafficking.
“I became a victim because I was naïve. My friends and I were lured by an offer to take part in an electronic course in the peninsula that promised an allowance of RM600 a month for a duration of six months.
“Once we got there, it was an entirely different story. We were forced to work in places that were obviously pre-arranged by the traffickers. I am grateful that the church helped me to escape from the ring,” said Albert when speaking at the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Forum here yesterday.
One of the panellists at the forum, Suria FM deejay Othoe, advises youths from Sabah keen to find work in the peninsula to register with the Sabah Liaison Office in Kuala Lumpur.
He said they should also make copies of all documents, particularly any agreement made with the employer, and give them to their families before leaving for the peninsula.
“Let your family and friends know what is going on in your lives so they can easily find you in case of anything untoward,” he added.
Othoe was appointed as the Sabah champion of anti-human trafficking by the Archdiocesan Human Development Committee (AHDC) and the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) for the Malaysia-Indonesia Cross Border Project Against Human Trafficking 2010-2011.
In his role as champion against human trafficking, he is involved mainly in raising awareness on the activity.
Anyone with concerns that they may know someone who has fallen victim or has information on human trafficking, can contact the AHDC Hotline at 088-232820 to enable the committee to inform the authorities.
“All personal details will be kept confidential, so informers need not fear to provide information. The police can also be contacted for help,” said Othoe.
Another panellist, Datuk Louis Rampas, suggested the need for a monitoring body while stressing that parents should also be made aware of the crime.
“It is important to have a monitoring body at the district and state-levels to raise public awareness so everyone can work together to combat this crime,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Human Trafficking Council (MAPO) will be meeting the state government to provide a briefing on the council’s role, the Anti Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) Act 2007 and guidelines on forming the ATIP sub-committee/Task Force at the state-level said AHDC senior officer, Jenifer Majalap.
“No date has been set yet but we are hopeful that the outcome of the meeting will be positive,” she said.
Mapo will also meet the Indonesian National Task Force either this month or in February to discuss collaboration at G-G level in combating the human trafficking especially in border areas.
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