AKTA ANTIPEMERDAGANGAN ORANG DAN ANTIPENYELUDUPAN MIGRAN 2007 (No. 670)

Q: What is AKTA ANTIPEMERDAGANGAN ORANG DAN ANTIPENYELUDUPAN MIGRAN 2007?

ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS ACT 2007 is Malaysia Act, cited as Act 670 2007, currently marked in force and first recorded in 2007.

Q: Is AKTA ANTIPEMERDAGANGAN ORANG DAN ANTIPENYELUDUPAN MIGRAN 2007 still in force?

Yes — AKTA ANTIPEMERDAGANGAN ORANG DAN ANTIPENYELUDUPAN MIGRAN 2007 is currently in force.

Q: Where can I read the official version of AKTA ANTIPEMERDAGANGAN ORANG DAN ANTIPENYELUDUPAN MIGRAN 2007?

The official text of AKTA ANTIPEMERDAGANGAN ORANG DAN ANTIPENYELUDUPAN MIGRAN 2007 is published at lom.agc.gov.my.

P.U. (B) 86/2008]

ENACTED by the Parliament of Malaysia as follows:

PRELIMINARY

Short title and commencement

Section 1

(2)

This Act comes into operation on a date to be appointed by the Minister by notification in the Gazette, and the Minister may appoint different dates for the coming into operation of different provisions of this Act.

*NOTE—Previously known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007. Change in short title vide section 3 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Act 2010 [Act A1385] w.e.f.

15 November 2010–see P.U. (B) 500/2010.

**NOTE—All references to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007 and the Council for

Anti-Trafficking in Persons in any written law or document shall, on the coming into operation of this

Act, be construed as references to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants respectively–

see section 26 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Act 2010 [Act A1385] w.e.f.

15 November 2010–see P.U. (B) 500/2010.

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Interpretation

Section 2

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“this Act” includes any subsidiary legislation made under this

Act;

“prescribed” means prescribed by the Minister by regulations;

“fraudulent travel or identity document” means a travel or identity document that—

(a)

has been made, or altered in a material way, by a person other than a person or agency lawfully authorised to make or issue the travel or identity document on behalf of a country;

(b)

has been issued or obtained through misrepresentation, corruption or duress or in any other unlawful manner;

or

(c)

is being improperly used by a person other than the rightful holder;

“exploitation” includes all forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude, any illegal activity or the removal of human organs;

“child” means a person who is under the age of eighteen years;

“Court” means Sessions Court;

“Council” means the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants established under section 6;

“Minister” means the Minister charged with the responsibility for internal security;

“smuggled migrant” means a person who is the object of the act of smuggling of migrants, regardless of whether that person participated in the act of smuggling of migrants;

“receiving country” means a country into which a trafficked person or a smuggled migrant is brought as part of an act of trafficking in persons or smuggling of migrants, as the case may be;

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“transit country” means a country from which, or into or through which, a trafficked person or a smuggled migrant, as the case may be, is brought or travels through by land, sea or air or temporarily remains in as part of an act of trafficking in persons or smuggling of migrants;

“trafficked person” means any person who is the victim or object of an act of trafficking in persons;

“officer of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency” has the same meaning assigned to it by the Malaysian Maritime

Enforcement Agency Act 2004 [Act 633];

“Labour Officer” means a Labour Officer appointed under section 3 of the Employment Act 1955 [Act 265] or section 3

of the Sabah Labour Ordinance [Sabah Cap. 67] or section 3 of the Sarawak Labour Ordinance [Sarawak Cap. 76];

“immigration officer” has the same meaning assigned to it by the Immigration Act 1959/63 [Act 155];

“Officer of customs” has the same meaning assigned to it by the Customs Act 1967 [Act 235];

“Social Welfare Officer” means any Social Welfare Officer in the ministry or department responsible for welfare services and includes any Assistant Social Welfare Officer;

“Protection Officer” means any officer appointed under section 43;

“enforcement officer” means any officer specified in subsection 27(1)

or any public officer appointed under subsection 27(1a);

“medical officer” means a registered medical practitioner in the service of the Government and includes a registered medical practitioner in any teaching hospital of a University;

“permanent resident” has the same meaning assigned to it by the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 [Act 91];

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“trafficking in persons” means all actions of recruiting, conveying, transferring, acquiring, maintaining, harbouring, providing or receiving, a person, for the purpose of exploitation, by the following means:

(a)

threat or use of force or other forms of coercion;

(b)

abduction;

(c)

fraud;

(d)

deception;

(e)

abuse of power;

(f)

abuse of the position of vulnerability of a person to an act of trafficking in persons; or

(g)

the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to obtain the consent of a person having control over the trafficked person;

“conveyance” means any vehicle, vessel, ship, aircraft, or any other mode of transport whether by air, sea or land;

“smuggling of migrants” means—

(a)

arranging, facilitating or organizing, directly or indirectly, a person’s unlawful entry into or through, or unlawful exit from, any country of which the person is not a citizen or permanent resident either knowing or having reason to believe that the person’s entry or exit is unlawful;

and

(b)

recruiting, conveying, transferring, concealing, harbouring or providing any other assistance or service for the purpose of carrying out the acts referred to in paragraph (a);

“Protection Order” means an order made by a Magistrate for the care and protection of a trafficked person under paragraph 51(3)(a);

“premises” means house, building, factory, land, tenement, easement of any tenure, whether open or enclosed, whether built on or not, whether public or private, and whether maintained or not under statutory authority, and includes any container;

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“place of refuge” means a place of refuge declared by the

Minister under subsection 42(1) of this Act.

Scope of application

Section 3

The offences under this Act apply, regardless of whether the conduct constituting the offence took place inside or outside

Malaysia and whatever the nationality or citizenship of the offender, in the following circumstances:

(a)

if Malaysia is the receiving country or transit country or the exploitation occurs in Malaysia; or

(b)

if the receiving country or transit country is a foreign country but the trafficking in persons or smuggling of migrants starts in Malaysia or transits Malaysia.

Extension of Act to extra territorial offences

Section 4

Any offence under this Act committed—

(a)

on the high seas on board any ship or on any aircraft registered in Malaysia;

(b)

by any citizen or permanent resident of Malaysia on the high seas on board any ship or on any aircraft; or

(c)

by any citizen or any permanent resident in any place outside and beyond the limits of Malaysia, may be dealt with as if it had been committed at any place within

Malaysia.

Prevailing law

Section 5

(2)

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Act and those of any other written laws, the provisions of this Act shall prevail and the conflicting or inconsistent provisions of such other written laws shall, to the extent of the conflict or inconsistency, be deemed to be superseded.

Part Ia

HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE

High Level Committee 5a. (1) A High Level Committee shall be established consisting of the ministers of the Ministries who are represented on the

Council.

(2)

The High Level Committee shall be chaired by the Minister.

Meetings of the Committee 5b. The High Level Committee shall meet as often as may be necessary.

Function of the Committee 5c. The High Level Committee shall deliberate on and decide the recommendations made by the Council.

COUNCIL FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS

Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants

Section 6

(2)

The Council shall consist of the following members:

(a)

the Secretary General of the Ministry responsible for internal security, who shall be the Chairman;

(b)

the Secretary General of the Ministry responsible for foreign affairs, or his representative;

(c)

(Deleted by Act A1500);

(d)

the Secretary General of the Ministry responsible for women, family and community development, or his representative;

(e)

the Secretary General of the Ministry responsible for human resources, or his representative;

(f)

the Secretary General of the Ministry responsible for transport, or his representative;

(g)

the Secretary General of the Ministry responsible for information, or his representative;

(h)

the Attorney General of Malaysia, or his representative;

(i)

the Inspector General of Police, or his representative;

(j)

the Director-General of Immigration, or his representative;

(k)

the Director-General of Customs, or his representative;

(l)

the Director-General of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement, or his representative;

(la) the Director-General of the Department of Women’s

Development, or his representative;

(lb) the Director-General of Social Welfare Department, or his representative;

(lc)

the Director-General of Labour, Department of Labour of Peninsular Malaysia, or his representative;

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(ld)

Director of Labour, Department of Labour Sabah, or his representative;

(le) Director of Labour, Department of Labour Sarawak, or his representative;

(m)

a representative of the following Ministries:

(i)

the Ministry responsible for internal security;

(ii)

the Ministry responsible for defence;

(iii)

the Ministry responsible for medical and health service;

(iv)

the Ministry responsible for development of youth and sports;

(v)

the Ministry responsible for international trade and industry;

(vi)

the Ministry responsible for plantation industries and commodities;

(n)

not more than five persons from non-governmental organization or other relevant organizations having appropriate experience, knowledge and expertise in problems and on issues relating to trafficking in persons including the protection and support of trafficked persons, to be appointed by the Minister; and

(o)

not more than three persons from non-governmental organizations or other relevant organizations with appropriate experience, knowledge and expertise on problems and issues relating to smuggling of migrants, to be appointed by the Minister.

(3)

Each member of the Council appointed under paragraphs (2)(n)

and (o) shall, unless he sooner resigns, hold office for a period not exceeding two years and is eligible for re-appointment.

(4)

Any member of the Council appointed under paragraphs (2)(n)

and (o) may, at any time resign his office, by giving notice in writing to the Minister.

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(5)

The members of the Council specified under subsection (2)

may be paid such allowances as the Minister may determine.

Functions and powers of the Council

Section 7

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(a)

coordinating the implementation of this Act;

(b)

formulating policies and programmes to prevent and combat trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants;

(c)

formulating protective programmes for trafficked persons;

(d)

initiating education programmes to increase public awareness of the causes and consequences of the act of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants;

(e)

monitoring the immigration and emigration patterns in

Malaysia for evidence of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants and to secure the prompt response of the relevant government agencies and non-governmental organizations to problems on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants brought to its attention;

(f)

advising the Government on the issues of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants including developments at the international level against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants;

(g)

making recommendations to the Minister on all aspects of the prevention and combating of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants;

(h)

coordinating the formulation of policies and monitoring the implementation of such policies on issues of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants with relevant government agencies and non-governmental organizations;

(i)

cooperating and coordinating with governments and international organizations on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants;

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(j)

collecting and collating data and information, and authorising research, in relation to the prevention and combating of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants;

(ja) paying any allowance, subject to the availability of funds, to a trafficked person as the Council may determine;

and

(k)

performing any other functions for the proper implementation of this Act.

(2)

The Council shall have all such powers as may be necessary for, or in connection with, or reasonably incidental to, the performance of its functions.

Power of Minister to issue directions

Section 8

The Minister may, from time to time, give the Council directions not inconsistent with this Act as to the performance of the functions and powers of the Council and the Council shall give effect to such directions.

Section 9

Meetings of Council

(2)

Seven members, including the Chairman, shall form the quorum of a meeting of the Council.

(3)

The Chairman shall preside over all its meetings.

(4)

If the Chairman is unable for any reason to preside any meeting of the Council, the meeting shall be presided by a member elected from amongst the members present.

(5)

The Council may invite any person to attend any meeting or deliberation of the Council for the purpose of advising it on any matter under discussion, but that person shall not be entitled to vote at the meeting.

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(6)

At any meeting of the Council, the Chairman shall have a deliberative vote and shall, in the event of an equality of votes, have a casting vote.

(7)

Any person invited under subsection (5) may be paid such allowance as the Minister may determine.

(8)

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Council may make rules for regulating its meetings and proceedings.

Establishment of committees

Section 10

(2)

A committee established under subsection (1)—

(a)

shall be chaired by any member of the Council specified under paragraphs 6(2)(b) to (m);

(b)

shall conform to and act in accordance with any direction given to it by the Council; and

(c)

may determine its own procedure.

(3)

Members of the committees established under subsection (1)

may be appointed from amongst members of the Council or such other persons as the Council thinks fit.

(4)

Except for members of the committees appointed from amongst members of the Council, any other persons appointed as members of the committees may be paid such allowance as the Minister may determine.

(5)

A member of a committee shall hold office for such term as may be specified in his letter of appointment and is eligible for reappointment.

(6)

The Council may revoke the appointment of any member of a committee without assigning any reason therefor.

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(7)

A member of a committee may, at any time, resign by giving notice in writing to the chairman of the committee.

(8)

The Council may, at any time, discontinue or alter the constitution of a committee.

(9)

A committee shall hold its meetings at such times and places as the chairman of the committee may determine.

(10)

A committee may invite any person to attend any meeting of the committee for the purpose of advising it on any matter under discussion but that person shall not be entitled to vote at the meeting.

(11)

Any person invited under subsection (10) may be paid such allowance as the Minister may determine.

Secretary of the Council and other officers

Section 11

(2)

The Secretary of the Council shall have any duties and functions as may be determined by the Minister.

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS OFFENCES, IMMUNITY, ETC.

Offence of trafficking in persons

Section 12

Any person, who traffics in persons not being a child or not being a person who is unable to fully take care of or protect himself because of a physical or mental disability or condition, commits an offence and shall on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding *twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine.

*NOTE—Previously “fifteen years”–see subsection 4(c) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1644] w.e.f. 22 February 2022.

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Section 13

Aggravated offence of trafficking in persons

Any person who commits an offence of trafficking in persons, where the trafficked person not being a child or not being a person who is unable to fully take care of or protect himself because of a physical or mental disability or condition where any of the following applies:

(a)

in committing the offence, the person caused grievous hurt to the trafficked person or to any other person;

(b)

in committing the offence, the person caused death to the trafficked person or to any other person;

(c)

in committing the offence, where caused by or at the time the person was trafficked, the trafficked person committed suicide;

(d)

in committing the offence, the person exposed the trafficked person to life threatening diseases, including the Human

Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune

Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS);

(e)

in committing the offence, the person engaged in trafficking in persons activities as part of an organized criminal group activity; or

(f)

where the offence of trafficking in persons was committed by a public officer in the performance of his public duties, shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years, and shall also be liable to whipping.

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Offence of trafficking in children or a person who is unable to fully take care of or protect himself because of a physical or mental disability or condition

Section 14

(2)

In a prosecution for an offence under this section, the means used against a trafficked person who is a child or a person who is unable to fully take care of or protect himself because of a physical or mental disability or condition is irrelevant and is not a requirement to be proved.

Offence of profiting from exploitation of a trafficked person

Section 15

Any person who profits from the exploitation of a trafficked person commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding fifteen years, and shall also be liable to a fine of not less than **five hundred thousand ringgit but not exceeding one million ringgit and shall also be liable to forfeiture of the profits from the offence.

Offence in relation to trafficked person in transit 15a. Any person who brings in transit a trafficked person through

Malaysia by land, sea or air, or otherwise arranges or facilitates such act commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ***fifteen years, and shall also be liable to fine.

*NOTE—Previously “imprisonment for a term not less than three years but not exceeding twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine”–see subsection 6(c)(iii) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1644] w.e.f. 22 February 2022.

**NOTE—Previously “fifty thousand ringgit but not exceeding five hundred thousand ringgit”–

see section 10 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Act 2010 [Act A1385] w.e.f.

15 November 2010.

***NOTE—Previously “seven years”–see section 7 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1644] w.e.f. 22 February 2022.

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Section 16

Consent of trafficked person irrelevant

In a prosecution for an offence under section 12, 13 or 14, it shall not be a defence that the trafficked person consented to the act of trafficking in persons.

Section 17

Past sexual behaviour irrelevant

A trafficked person’s past sexual behaviour is irrelevant and inadmissible for the purpose of proving that the trafficked person was engaged in other sexual behaviour or to prove the trafficked person’s sexual predisposition.

Movement or conveyance of trafficked person irrelevant 17a. In a prosecution for any offence under this Part, the prosecution need not prove the movement or conveyance of the trafficked person but that the trafficked person was subject to exploitation.

Section 18

Fraudulent travel or identity documents

Any person who makes, obtains, gives, sells or possesses a fraudulent travel or identity document for the purpose of facilitating an act of trafficking in persons commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to a fine of not less than fifty thousand ringgit but not exceeding five hundred thousand ringgit.

Section 19

Recruiting persons

Any person who knowingly recruits, or agrees to recruit, another person to participate in the commission of an act of trafficking in persons, commits an offence and shall, on conviction be punished, with imprisonment for a term not exceeding *fifteen years, and shall also be liable to fine.

*NOTE—Previously “ten years”–see section 8 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1644] w.e.f. 22 February 2022.

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Section 20

Providing facilities in support of trafficking in persons

(a)

the owner, occupier, lessee or person in charge of any premises, room or place, knowingly permits a meeting to be held in that premises, room or place; or

(b)

the owner, lessee or person in charge of any equipment or facility that allows for recording, conferencing or meetings via technology, knowingly permits that equipment or facility to be used, for the purpose of committing an offence under this Act, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Providing services for purposes of trafficking in persons

Section 21

(a)

intending that the services or facilities will be used, or knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the services or facilities will be used, in whole or in part, for the purpose of committing or facilitating the commission of an act of trafficking in persons, or for the purpose of benefiting any person who is committing or facilitating the commission of an act of trafficking in persons; or

(b)

knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that, in whole or in any part, the services or facilities will be used by or will benefit any person involved in an act of trafficking in persons, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

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(2)

For the purpose of subsection (1), “financial services or facilities” include the services or facilities offered by lawyers or accountants acting as nominees or agents for their clients.

Harbouring persons

Section 22

(a)

harbours a person; or

(b)

prevents, hinders or interferes with the arrest of a person, knowing or having reason to believe that such person has committed or is planning or is likely to commit an act of trafficking in persons, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(2)

In this section, “harbour” means supplying a person with shelter, food, drink, money or clothes, arms, ammunition or means of conveyance, or assisting a person in any way to evade apprehension.

Obligation of owner, operator or master of conveyance

Section 23

(2)

Any owner, operator or master of any conveyance mentioned in subsection (1) who—

(a)

knowingly permits or has reasonable grounds to believe that such conveyance is used for purposes of bringing a person into a receiving country or transit country without travel documents required for the lawful entry of that person into the receiving country or transit country; or

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(b)

knowingly permits or has reasonable grounds to believe that such conveyance is being used for purposes of committing any offence of trafficking in persons, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.

(3)

In any proceedings for an offence under this section, it shall be a defence for such owner, operator or master to prove that—

(a)

he has reasonable grounds to believe that the travel documents of the person travelling on board are travel documents required for lawful entry of that person into the receiving country or transit country;

(b)

the person travelling on board possessed travel documents required for lawful entry into the receiving country or transit country when that person boarded, or last boarded, the conveyance to travel to the receiving country or transit country; or

(c)

the entry of the person into the receiving country or transit country occurred only because of illness or injury to that person, stress of weather or any other circumstances beyond the control of such owner, operator or master.

(4)

Any person convicted of an offence under this section shall be liable to pay the costs of the trafficked person’s detention in, and removal from, the receiving country or transit country.

(5)

Where there is no prosecution or conviction under this section, the owner, operator or master of the conveyance used shall be jointly and severally liable for all expenses incurred by the Government in respect of the detention and maintenance of the trafficked person and his removal from Malaysia and such expenses shall be recoverable as a debt due to the Government.

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Intentional omission to give information

Section 24

Any person who knowing or having reason to believe, that any offence under this Act has been or will be committed, intentionally omits to give any information respecting that offence, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.

Section 25

Immunity from criminal prosecution

A trafficked person shall not be liable to criminal prosecution in respect of—

(a)

his illegal entry into the receiving country or transit country;

(b)

his period of unlawful residence in the receiving country or transit country; or

(c)

his procurement or possession of any fraudulent travel or identity document which he obtained, or with which he was supplied, for the purpose of entering the receiving country or transit country, where such acts are the direct consequence of an act of trafficking in persons that is alleged to have been committed or was committed.

Protection of informers

Section 26

(2)

If any book, document or paper which is in evidence or liable to inspection in any civil or criminal proceedings whatsoever contains any entry in which any informer is named or described or which might lead to his discovery, the court before which the proceedings is had shall cause all such entries to be concealed from view or to be obliterated so far as is necessary to protect the informer from discovery.

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(3)

If in a trial for any offence under this Act, the Court, after full enquiry into the case, is of the opinion that the informer willfully made in his complaint a material statement which he knew or believe to be false or did not believe to be true, or if in any other proceedings the court is of the opinion that justice cannot be fully done between the parties without the discovery of the informer, the Court may require the production of the original complaint, if in writing, and permit enquiry and require full disclosure concerning the informer.

(4)

Any person who gives the information referred to in this section, knowing that the information is false, commits an offence.

Part IIIa

SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS

Offence of smuggling of migrants 26a. Any person who carries out smuggling of migrants commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding *twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine, or to both.

Aggravated offence of smuggling of migrants 26b. Any person who commits an offence of smuggling of migrants where any of the following applies:

(a)

in committing the offence, the person intends that the smuggled migrant will be exploited after entry into the receiving country or transit country whether by the person himself or by another person;

(b)

in committing the offence, the person subjects the smuggled migrant to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment;

(c)

in committing the offence, the person’s conduct gives rise to a risk of death or serious harm to the smuggled migrant; or

*NOTE—Previously “fifteen years”–see section 9 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1644] w.e.f. 22 February 2022.

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(d)

where the offence of smuggling of migrants was committed by a public officer in the performance of his public duties, shall, on conviction, be punished with *imprisonment for life or with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years, and shall also be liable to whipping.

Offence in relation to smuggled migrant in transit 26c. Any person who brings in transit a smuggled migrant through Malaysia by land, sea or air or otherwise arranges or facilitates such act commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding **fifteen years, and shall also be liable to fine, or to both.

Offence of profiting from the offence of smuggling of migrants 26d. Any person who profits from the offence of smuggling of migrants commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years but not exceeding fifteen years, and shall also be liable to a fine of not less than five hundred thousand ringgit but not exceeding one million ringgit, or to both, and shall also be liable to forfeiture of the profits from the offence.

Fraudulent travel or identity documents 26e. Any person who makes, obtains, gives, sells or possesses a fraudulent travel or identity document for the purpose of facilitating an act of smuggling of migrants commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years but not exceeding fifteen years, and shall also be liable to a fine of not less than fifty thousand ringgit but not exceeding five hundred thousand ringgit, or to both.

*NOTE—Previously “imprisonment for a term not less than three years but not exceeding twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine, or to both”–see paragraph 10(e) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1644] w.e.f.

22 February 2022.

**NOTE—Previously “seven years”–see section 11 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1644] w.e.f. 22 February 2022.

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Providing facilities in support of smuggling of migrants 26f. Any person, being—

(a)

the owner, occupier, lessee or person in charge of any premises, room or place, knowingly permits a meeting of persons to be held in that premises, room or place;

or

(b)

the owner, lessee or person in charge of any equipment or facility that allows for recording, conferences or meetings via technology, knowingly permits that equipment or facility to be used, for the purpose of committing an offence under this Part, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine, or to both.

Providing services for purposes of smuggling of migrants 26g. (1) Any person who, directly or indirectly, provides or makes available financial services or facilities—

(a)

intending that the services or facilities be used, or knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the services or facilities will be used, in whole or in part, for the purpose of committing or facilitating the commission of an act of smuggling of migrants, or for the purpose of benefiting any person who is committing or facilitating the commission of an act of smuggling of migrants; or

(b)

knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that, in whole or in part, the services or facilities will be used by or will benefit any person involved in an act of smuggling of migrants, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine, or to both.

(2)

For the purpose of subsection (1), “financial services or facilities” include the services and facilities offered by lawyers or accountants acting as nominees or agents for their clients.

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Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 29

Concealing or harbouring smuggled migrants and migrant smugglers 26h. (1) Any person who conceals or harbours, or prevents, hinders or interferes with the arrest of any person knowing or having reason to believe that such person is—

(a)

a smuggled migrant; or

(b)

a person who has committed or is planning or is likely to commit an act of smuggling of migrants, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine, or to both.

(2)

In this section, “harbour” includes supplying a person with shelter, food, drink, money or clothes, arms, ammunition or means of conveyance, or assisting a person in any way to evade apprehension.

Supporting offence of smuggling of migrants 26i. (1) Any person who provides material support or resources to another person and the support and resources aid the receiver or any other person to engage in conduct constituting the offence of smuggling of migrants commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding fifteen years, and shall also be liable to fine, or to both.

(2)

For the avoidance of doubt, a person commits an offence under subsection (1) even if the offence of smuggling of migrants is not committed.

Offence of conveyance of smuggled migrants 26j. Any person being the owner, operator or master of any conveyance who engages in the conveyance of smuggled migrants commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty thousand ringgit, or to both.

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Obligation of owner, etc., of conveyance 26k. (1) Any person being the owner, operator or master of any conveyance that engages in the conveyance of goods or people for commercial gain shall ensure that every person travelling on board is in possession of travel documents for the lawful entry of that person into the receiving country or transit country and if not, shall refuse to convey such person.

(2)

Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.

(3)

In any proceeding for an offence under this section, it shall be a defence for such owner, operator or master to prove that—

(a)

he has reasonable grounds to believe that the travel documents of the person referred to in subsection (1)

are travel documents required for lawful entry of that person into the receiving country or transit country;

(b)

the person referred to in subsection (1) possessed travel documents required for lawful entry to the receiving country or transit country when that person boarded, or last boarded, the conveyance to travel to the receiving country or transit country; or

(c)

the entry of the person referred to in subsection (1) into the receiving country or transit country occurred only because of illness or injury to that person, stress of weather or any other circumstances beyond the control of such owner, operator or master.

(4)

Any person convicted of an offence under this section shall be liable to pay the costs of the smuggled migrant’s detention in, and removal from, the receiving country or transit country.

(5)

Where there is no prosecution or conviction under this section, the owner, operator or master of the conveyance used shall be jointly and severally liable for all expenses incurred by the Government in respect of the detention and maintenance of the smuggled migrant and his removal from Malaysia and such expenses shall be recoverable as a debt due to the Government.

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ENFORCEMENT

Enforcement officers

Section 27

(a)

any police officer;

(b)

any immigration officer;

(c)

any Officer of customs;

(d)

any officer of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement

Agency; and

(e)

any Labour Officer.

(1a)

The Minister may, after consultation with any other relevant Minister, appoint any public officer as may be deemed necessary as an enforcement officer for the purposes of this Act and the public officer appointed as such may exercise all powers of enforcement.

(1b)

Every appointment under subsection (1a) shall be published in the Gazette.

(2)

An enforcement officer when acting against any person under this Act, shall declare his office and shall produce to the person against whom he is acting any authority card which has been issued to him.

Power of investigation

Section 28

An enforcement officer shall have all the powers necessary to carry out an investigation for any offence under this Act.

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Section 29

Power of arrest

(a)

found committing or attempting to commit or abetting the commission of an offence under this Act; or

(b)

whom the enforcement officer reasonably suspects of being engaged in committing or attempting to commit or abetting the commission of an offence under this Act.

(2)

An enforcement officer making an arrest under subsection (1)

shall, without unnecessary delay, bring the person arrested to the nearest police station, and thereafter the person shall be dealt with in accordance with the law relating to criminal procedure for the time being in force.

Search and seizure with warrant

Section 30

(a)

any premises or conveyance has been used or is about to be used for; or

(b)

there is in any premises or conveyance evidence necessary to the conduct of an investigation into, the commission of an offence under this Act, the Magistrate may issue a warrant authorizing any enforcement officer named therein, at any reasonable time, by day or by night, to enter the premises or conveyance.

(2)

A warrant issued under subsection (1) may authorise the enforcement officer to—

(a)

search the premises or conveyance for, and to seize or remove from the premises or conveyance, any moveable property, book, record, report or document, or any human organ that is reasonably believed to furnish evidence of the commission of such offence; and

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 33

(b)

make copies of, or take extracts from any book, record, report or document found in the premises or conveyance.

(3)

An enforcement officer entering any premises or conveyance under this section may take with him such other persons or equipment as may appear to him to be necessary.

(4)

An enforcement officer may, in the exercise of his powers under this section, if necessary—

(a)

break open any outer or inner door of the premises or conveyance or any obstruction to the premises or conveyance in order to effect entry into the premises or conveyance;

(b)

remove by force any obstruction to entry, search, seizure or removal as he is empowered to effect under this section; and

(c)

detain any person found in the premises or conveyance until the search has been completed.

(5)

Where, by reason of its nature, size or amount, it is not practicable to remove any moveable property, book, record, report or document or any human organ seized under this section, the enforcement officer shall, by any means, seal such moveable property, book, record, report or document or any human organ in the premises or conveyance in which it is found.

(6)

A person who, without lawful authority, breaks, tampers with or damages the seal referred to in subsection (5) or removes the moveable property, book, record, report or document or any human organ under seal, or attempts to do so, commits an offence.

Search and seizure without warrant

Section 31

(a)

enter and search any premises;

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(b)

stop and search any conveyance or person;

(c)

seize and detain such conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document or human organ; or

(d)

inspect, make copies of or take extract from any book, record, report or document found in the premises or conveyance.

(2)

In exercising his powers under this section, an enforcement officer shall have all the powers conferred upon him under subsections 30(3), (4) and (5).

Access to computerized data

Section 32

(2)

For the purpose of subsection (1), the enforcement officer shall be provided with the necessary password, encryption code, decryption code, software or hardware or any other means required for his access to enable comprehension of the computerized data.

List of things seized

Section 33

(2)

Where the premises is unoccupied, the enforcement officer shall, whenever possible, post a list of the things seized conspicuously at or on the place or premises.

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Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 35

Power to examine persons

Section 34

(a)

attend before him for examination;

(b)

produce before him any moveable property, record, report or document; or

(c)

furnish him a statement in writing made on oath or affirmation setting out such information as he may require.

(2)

Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence.

(3)

The person examined under subsection (1) shall be legally bound to answer all questions relating to such case put to him by the enforcement officer, but he may refuse to answer any question the answer to which would have a tendency to expose him to a criminal charge or penalty or forfeiture.

(4)

A person making a statement under paragraph (1)(c) shall be legally bound to state the truth, whether or not such statement is made wholly or partly in answer to the questions of the enforcement officer.

(5)

An enforcement officer examining a person under subsection (1)

shall first inform that person of the provisions of subsections (3)

and (4).

(6)

A statement made by any person under subsection (3) or (4)

shall be reduced into writing and signed by the person making it or affixed with his thumb print—

(a)

after it has been read to him in the language in which he made it; and

(b)

after he has been given an opportunity to make any correction he may wish.

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Admissibility of statement

Section 35

(2)

When any witness is called for the prosecution or for the defence, other than the accused, and there is a basis for impeaching the credit of that witness, the Court shall, subject to the provisions of the Evidence Act 1950 [Act 56], refer to any statement made by that witness to an enforcement officer in the course of an investigation under this Act and may then use that statement to impeach the credit of the witness.

(3)

Where the accused had made a statement during the course of an investigation, such statement may be admitted in evidence in support of his defence during the course of the trial.

(4)

Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to any statement made in the course of an identification parade or falling within section 27 or paragraphs 32(1)(a), (i) and (j) of the Evidence Act 1950.

(5)

When any person is charged with any offence in relation to—

(a)

the making; or

(b)

the contents, of any statement made by him to an enforcement officer in the course of an investigation made under this Act, that statement may be used as evidence in the prosecution’s case.

Forfeiture of conveyance, moveable property, etc.

Section 36

(2)

The Court trying any person accused of an offence under this

Act may at the conclusion of the trial, whether he is convicted or not, order that the conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document or any human organ seized from that person be forfeited.

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(3)

Where there is no prosecution with regard to any offence under this Act—

(a)

in the case of human organ seized, it shall be deemed to be forfeited; and

(b)

in the case of the conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document seized, the enforcement officer shall serve a notice in writing to the last known address of the person from whom the conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document was seized.

(4)

The notice in paragraph (3)(b) shall specify that there is no prosecution in respect of such conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document and that such conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document will be forfeited at the expiration of one calendar month from the date of service of the notice unless a claim is made by the person from whom the conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document was seized.

(5)

Upon receipt of the notice issued under paragraph (3)(b), any person asserting that he is the owner of any conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document seized under this Act which is not liable to forfeiture may, personally or by his agent authorized in writing by him, give written notice to the enforcement officer in whose possession the conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document is held.

(6)

Upon receipt of a notice under subsection (5), the enforcement officer who made the seizure shall refer the matter to the Court for its determination.

(7)

The Court to which the matter is referred shall issue a summons requiring the person asserting that he is the owner of the conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document and the person from whom it was seized to appear before the

Court, and upon their appearance or default to appear, due service of the summons being proved, the Court shall proceed to the examination of the matter, and on proof that such conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document was the subject matter of or was used in the commission of an offence under this Act, shall order the conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document to be forfeited or may, in the absence of such proof, order the release of such conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document to the person entitled to it.

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(8)

Any conveyance, moveable property, book, record, report or document or any human organ forfeited or deemed to be forfeited shall be disposed of in any manner as the enforcement officer deems fit.

Cost of holding conveyance, moveable property, etc., seized

Section 37

Where any conveyance, moveable property, record, report or document or human organ seized under this Act is held in the custody of the enforcement officer pending completion of any proceedings in respect of an offence under this Act, the cost of holding such conveyance, moveable property, record, report or document or any human organ in custody shall, in the event of any person being found guilty of an offence, be a civil debt due to the Government by such person and shall be recoverable accordingly.

Section 38

No costs or damages arising from entry, search or seizure to be recoverable

No person shall, in respect of any entry or search, or seizure of any conveyance, moveable property, record, report or document or any human organ seized in the exercise of any power conferred by this Act, be entitled to the costs of such entry, search, or seizure or to any damages or other relief unless such entry, search or seizure was made without reasonable cause.

Section 39

Obstruction

Any person who obstructs, impedes, interferes or fails to comply with any lawful demand of an enforcement officer in the performance of his functions under this Act commits an offence.

Section 40

Tipping-off

(a)

knows or has reasonable grounds to suspect that an enforcement officer is acting, or is proposing to act, in connection with an investigation which is being, or

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

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is about to be, conducted under or for the purposes of this Act and discloses to any other person information or any other matter which is likely to prejudice that investigation or proposed investigation; or

(b)

knows or has reasonable grounds to suspect that a disclosure has been made to an enforcement officer under this Act and discloses to any other person information or any other matter which is likely to prejudice any investigation which might be conducted following the disclosure, commits an offence.

(2)

Nothing in subsection (1) makes it an offence for an advocate and solicitor or his employee to disclose any information or other matter—

(a)

to his client or the client’s representative in connection with the giving of advice to the client in the course and for the purpose of the professional employment of the advocate and solicitor; or

(b)

to any person in contemplation of, or in connection with and for the purpose of, any legal proceedings.

(3)

Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to any information or other matter which is disclosed with a view to furthering any illegal purpose.

(4)

In a proceedings against a person for an offence under this section, it is a defence to prove that—

(a)

he did not know or suspect that the disclosure made under paragraph (1)(b) was likely to prejudice the investigation;

or

(b)

he had lawful authority or reasonable excuse for making the disclosure.

Institution of prosecution

Section 41

No prosecution for an offence under this Act shall be instituted except by or with the written consent of the Public Prosecutor.

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CARE AND PROTECTION OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS

Non-application 41a. This Part shall not apply to a smuggled migrant unless such smuggled migrant is a trafficked person.

Place of refuge

Section 42

(2)

The Minister may, from time to time, direct the separation of different categories of trafficked persons, among others, according to age and gender either at the same place of refuge or at different places of refuge.

(3)

The Minister charged with the responsibility for women, family and community development shall be responsible for any matter relating to the management, administration and control over the place of refuge declared under subsection (1), the trafficked person in the place of refuge and the Protection Officer appointed under section 43.

(4)

The Minister charged with the responsibility for women, family and community development may issue any directions in any manner, whether generally or specifically for the purposes referred to in subsection (3).

Appointment of Protection Officers

Section 43

(1a)

(Deleted by Act A1644).

(2)

The Protection Officer shall—

(a)

have control over and responsibility for the care and protection of the trafficked person at the place of refuge;

(b)

carry out an enquiry and cause to be prepared a report of the trafficked person as required under this Act;

(c)

have the power to supervise the trafficked person upon order by the Magistrate or direction by the Minister;

and

(d)

have such other powers, duties and functions as the

Minister may prescribe.

Taking a person into temporary custody

Section 44

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 41

(2)

The Magistrate shall make an interim protection order for the person to be placed at a place of refuge for a period of twenty-one days for the purpose of carrying out an investigation and enquiry under section 51.

(3)

The enforcement officer shall, upon obtaining the order issued under subsection (2), surrender the trafficked person to a

Protection Officer to place that trafficked person at the place of refuge specified in the order.

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Person in temporary custody in need of medical examination or treatment

Section 45

(2)

If at the time of being taken into temporary custody, the person is a patient in a hospital, the enforcement officer may leave that person in the hospital.

Medical examination and treatment

Section 46

A medical officer before whom a person is presented under section 45—

(a)

shall conduct or cause to be conducted an examination of the person;

(b)

may in examining the person and if so authorised by an enforcement officer, administer or cause to be administered such procedures and tests as may be necessary to diagnose the person’s condition; or

(c)

may provide or cause to be provided such treatment as he considers necessary as a result of the diagnosis.

Authorization for hospitalization

Section 47

Where a person taken into temporary custody under subsection 44(1) is a child and the medical officer who examines him is of the opinion that his hospitalization is necessary for the purpose of medical care or treatment, an enforcement officer may authorise that person to be hospitalised.

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Section 48

Control over hospitalised person

Where the person taken into temporary custody under subsection 44(1) is hospitalised, the enforcement officer shall have control over, and responsibility for, the security and protection of that person.

Section 49

Steps to be taken after medical examination or treatment

(a)

of the completion of such examination or treatment; or

(b)

if the person is hospitalised, on his discharge from the hospital.

(2)

If it is not possible to bring that person before a Magistrate within the time specified in subsection (1), that person shall be placed in a place of refuge until such time as he can be brought before a Magistrate.

No liability incurred for giving authorization

Section 50

(a)

the enforcement officer who authorises such examination or treatment;

(b)

the medical officer who examines or treats the person;

and

(c)

all persons acting in aid of the medical officer, shall not incur any liability at law by reason only that a person is examined or treated pursuant to this Part.

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(2)

Nothing contained in subsection (1) relieves a medical officer from liability in respect of the examination or treatment of the person taken into temporary custody under subsection 44(1), which liability he would have been subject to had the examination or treatment been carried out or administered with the consent of the parent or guardian of the person or person having authority to consent to the examination or treatment.

Investigation, enquiry and Protection Order

Section 51

(a)

an enforcement officer shall investigate into the circumstances of the person’s case for the purpose of determining whether the person is a trafficked person under this Act;

and

(b)

a Protection Officer shall enquire into the background of that person.

(2)

Upon completion of the investigation and enquiry under subsection (1), the enforcement officer and the Protection Officer shall jointly prepare a report and produce the report together with the person before a Magistrate’s Court for the purpose of satisfying the Magistrate that such person is a trafficked person under this Act.

(3)

Where the Magistrate, having read the report produced under subsection (2), is satisfied that the person brought before him—

(a)

is a trafficked person and in need of care and protection, the Magistrate may make a Protection Order—

(i)

in the case of a trafficked person who is a citizen or permanent resident of Malaysia, ordering that such trafficked person be placed in a place of refuge for a period not exceeding three months from the date of the order; or

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

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(ii)

in the case of a trafficked person who is a foreign national, ordering that such trafficked person be placed in a place of refuge for a period not exceeding three months from the date of the order, and thereafter to release him to an immigration officer for necessary action in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Act 1959/63,

(b)

is not a trafficked person, the Magistrate may—

(i)

in the case of a person who is a citizen or permanent resident of Malaysia, order that person to be released; or

(ii)

in the case of a person who is a foreign national, order that person to be released to an immigration officer for necessary action in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

(4)

The Magistrate may at any time, on the application of an enforcement officer or a Protection Officer, as the case may be, extend or revoke the Protection Order made under this section.

(5)

Notwithstanding subsection (4), where the trafficked person is a foreign national, an extension of the Protection Order may be granted only for the purpose of completing the recording of his evidence under section 52, the recording of deposition for the purposes of section 61a or for any exceptional circumstances as determined by the Magistrate.

(6)

Nothing in this section shall prejudice any prosecution of an act of trafficking in persons under this Act.

Permission to move freely and to work 51a. (1) Subject to any regulations made under section 66, any person to whom an interim protection order has been granted, or any trafficked person to whom a Protection Order has been granted, may be given permission by the Council—

(a)

to move freely; or

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(b)

to be employed, engaged or contracted with to carry out work in any occupation during the period of the interim protection order or Protection Order, as the case may be.

(2)

A foreign national who is granted permission to work under subsection (1) shall be subject to any restrictions and conditions as may be imposed by the relevant authorities relating to employment of foreign nationals in Malaysia.

Recording of evidence of trafficked person

Section 52

(2)

The Sessions Court Judge may, upon such application, issue a summons or order directed to the person in charge of the place of refuge where such trafficked person is placed, or to the enforcement officer who is investigating the circumstances of the case of a trafficked person, requiring him to produce the trafficked person at the time and place specified in the summons or order.

(3)

The Sessions Court Judge shall record the evidence of the trafficked person and complete such recording within seven days from the date of the production of that trafficked person before him.

(4)

In the course of the recording of evidence of the trafficked person, he shall be examined in accordance with the provisions of the Evidence Act 1950.

(5)

The Sessions Court Judge shall cause the evidence taken by him to be reduced into writing and, at the end of that writing, shall sign the same.

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(6)

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other written laws to the contrary, the evidence recorded under this section shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings under this Act and the weight to be attached to such evidence shall be the same as that of a witness who appears and gives evidence in the course of a proceeding.

Application by parent, guardian or relative

Section 53

(2)

The parent, guardian or relative of the trafficked person shall serve a copy of the application to the Protection Officer.

(3)

Upon receipt of an application under subsection (2), the

Protection Officer shall cause a report to be prepared in relation to—

(a)

the trafficked person;

(b)

the status of any investigation or prosecution for any offence under this Act in relation to the trafficked person;

(c)

the background of the trafficked person, his parent, guardian or relative; or

(d)

any other matter as the Protection Officer deems relevant, to enable the Magistrate to determine the application in the best interest of the trafficked person.

(4)

The Magistrate shall, upon receipt of the application, fix a date for the hearing of the application, and shall, by notice in writing, inform the parent, guardian or relative of the trafficked person, as the case may be, the Protection Officer or other person the Magistrate deems fit, and shall require the production of the trafficked person before him on the appointed date.

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(5)

After hearing the application and having read the report of the Protection Officer, and if the Magistrate is satisfied that it is in the best interest of the trafficked person, he may—

(a)

commit the person into the care and protection of the parent, guardian or relative of the person, upon such conditions as he may deems fit to impose;

(b)

require the parent, guardian or relative of the person to enter into a bond; or

(c)

require the person to be placed under the supervision of a Protection Officer, for a period to be determined by the Magistrate.

(6)

The Magistrate may, at any time, revoke any order made under subsection (5).

Release of trafficked person

Section 54

(a)

in the case of a trafficked person who is a citizen or permanent resident of Malaysia, release that person; or

(b)

in the case of a trafficked person who is a foreign national who has valid documents and is employed, release that person, or in any other case as may be prescribed, release that person to an immigration officer to be returned to his country of origin in accordance with any laws relating to immigration.

(2)

The immigration officer shall take all necessary steps to facilitate the return of that trafficked person to his country of origin without unnecessary delay, with due regard for his safety.

(3)

Notwithstanding subsection (1), the court may, upon an application made by a Protection Officer or an enforcement officer, and being satisfied that the trafficked person requires further care and protection for a reasonable reason or for the purposes of the management of repatriation, make an order that the trafficked person be placed in a place of refuge for any further period as the Magistrate may think fit.

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Trafficked person who escapes or is removed from place of refuge

Section 55

Any trafficked person who escapes or is removed from a place of refuge without lawful authority—

(a)

may be taken into custody by any enforcement officer and shall be brought back to the place of refuge; and

(b)

shall be placed for such period which is equal to the period during which he was unlawfully at large and for the unexpired residue of his term in the Protection

Order originally made by the Magistrate.

Offence of removing or helping a trafficked person to escape from place of refuge

Section 56

Any person who—

(a)

removes a trafficked person from a place of refuge without lawful authority;

(b)

knowingly assists or induces, directly or indirectly, a trafficked person to escape from a place of refuge; or

(c)

knowingly harbours or conceals a trafficked person who has so escaped, or prevents him from returning to the place of refuge, commits an offence.

Power of Minister to remove trafficked person from one place of refuge to another

Section 57

The Minister may, after consultation with the Minister charged with the responsibility for women, family and community development, at any time, for reasons which appear to him to be sufficient, by order in writing direct the removal of any trafficked person from a place of refuge to any other place of refuge as may be specified in the order.

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MISCELLANEOUS

Restriction on media reporting and publication

Section 58

(a)

any step taken in relation to a trafficked person or smuggled migrant in any proceedings be it at the pre-trial, trial or post-trial stage;

(b)

any trafficked person in respect of whom custody or protection is accorded under Part V; or

(c)

any other matters under this Act, shall not reveal the name or address, or include any particulars calculated to lead to the identification of any trafficked person or smuggled migrant so concerned either as being the trafficked person or smuggled migrant or as being a witness to any proceedings.

(2)

A picture of—

(a)

any trafficked person or smuggled migrant in any of the matters mentioned in subsection (1); or

(b)

any other person, place or thing which may lead to the identification of the trafficked person or smuggled migrant, shall not be published in any newspaper or magazine or transmitted through any electronic medium.

(3)

Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence.

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Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 51

Evidence of agent provocateur admissible

Section 59

(2)

Notwithstanding any law or rule of law to the contrary, a conviction for any offence under this Act solely on the uncorroborated evidence of any agent provocateur shall not be illegal and no such conviction shall be set aside merely because the court which tried the case has failed to refer in the grounds of its judgment to the need to warn itself against the danger of convicting on such evidence.

Admissibility of documentary evidence

Section 60

Where any enforcement officer has obtained any document or other evidence in exercise of his powers under this Act, such document or copy of the document or other evidence, as the case may be, shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings under this Act, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any written laws.

Section 61

Admissibility of translation of documents

(2)

Subsection (1) shall apply to a document which is translated, regardless of whether the document was made in or outside

Malaysia, or whether the translation was done in or outside

Malaysia, or whether possession of such document was obtained by any enforcement officer in or outside Malaysia.

Admissibility of deposition of trafficked person or smuggled migrant who cannot be found 61a. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and any written law to the contrary, where in any proceeding for an offence under this Act a testimony of any person in respect of whom an order of removal from Malaysia has been made by the Director General under section 32 or 33 or subsection 56(2)

of the Immigration Act 1959/63 is required by the court, there shall be admissible in evidence before that court any deposition relating to the subject matter of that proceeding made by that person—

(a)

in Malaysia before a Sessions Court Judge or a Magistrate in the presence or absence of the person charged with the offence; or

(b)

outside Malaysia before a consular officer or a judicial officer of a foreign country in the presence or absence of the person charged with the offence, and any such deposition shall, without further proof, be admitted as prima facie evidence of any fact stated in the deposition.

(2)

It shall not be necessary for any party in any proceeding to prove the signature or official character of the Sessions Court

Judge, Magistrate, consular officer or judicial officer before whom the deposition under subsection (1) was made.

(3)

For the purposes of this section, a reference to—

(a)

a “deposition” includes any written statement made upon oath; and

(b)

an “oath” includes an affirmation or declaration in the case of persons allowed by law to affirm or declare instead of swear.

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 53

(4)

Nothing in this section shall prejudice the admission as evidence of any other depositions.

Indemnity

Section 62

No action, suit, prosecution or other proceedings shall lie or be brought, instituted, or maintained in any court or before any other authority against—

(a)

any enforcement officer;

(b)

any Protection Officer; or

(c)

any person lawfully acting in compliance with any direction or order of an enforcement officer or a Protection Officer, for or on account of, or in respect of, any act done or statement made or omitted to be done or made, or purporting to be done or made or omitted to be done or made, in pursuance of or in execution of, or intended pursuance of or execution of, this Act or any order in writing, direction or other thing issued under this

Act if such act or statement was done or made, or was omitted to be done or made, in good faith.

General and enhanced penalties

Section 63

(2)

Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body corporate, the body corporate shall, on conviction—

(a)

where a fine is specified under the relevant section, be liable to a fine of not less than three times the maximum fine specified; and

Act 670

(b)

where no fine is specified—

(i)

in relation to sections 15a and 26c, shall be liable to a minimum fine of five million ringgit; and

(ii)

in any other case, shall be liable to a minimum fine of one million ringgit.

(3)

Where, after having been convicted of any offence under this Act, a person subsequently commits another offence under this Act, he shall, on conviction, for that subsequent offence, be punished with an enhanced penalty which shall not be less than the penalty that had been imposed on him for the earlier offence.

(4)

Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a person who has been proved to the court to have acted jointly with one or more persons in the commission of the offence, the person shall, on conviction, be punished with an enhanced penalty which shall be a more severe penalty than that which would have been imposed on him if he had acted individually.

Offence by body corporate

Section 64

Where any offence against any provision of this Act has been committed by a body corporate, any person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or was purporting to act in any such capacity, or was in any manner responsible for the management of any of the affairs of such body corporate, or was assisting in such management, shall also be guilty of that offence unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge, consent or connivance, and that he exercised all such diligence to prevent the commission of the offence as he ought to have exercised, having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and to all the circumstances.

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 55

Section 65

Offence by employee or agent

Where any person would be liable under this Act to any punishment or penalty for any act, omission, neglect or default, such person shall be liable to the same punishment or penalty for every such act, omission, neglect or default of any employee or agent of his or of the employee of such agent, if such act, omission, neglect or default was committed by the person’s employee in the course of his employment, or by the agent when acting on behalf of the person, or by the employee of such agent in the course of his employment by such agent, or otherwise on behalf of the agent.

Public servant 65a. Every Protection Officer, while discharging their duty as such Protection Officer under this Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the Penal Code [Act 574].

Section 66

Regulations

(2)

Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations may be made—

(a)

to prescribe the functions or any other matters in relation to the Council;

(aa) to prescribe the qualifications, conditions, procedures or any other matters relating to the granting of permission to move freely and to work under section 51a;

(b)

to provide for an offence, any act or omission which contravenes any provision of any regulations;

(c)

to provide for the imposition of penalties for such offences;

(d)

to prescribe measures for the care and protection of trafficked persons at the place of refuge;

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(e)

to prescribe for the powers and functions of a Protection

Officer;

(f)

(Deleted by Act A1644);

(fa) to provide for the payment and recovery of any expenses incurred by the Government in connection with the detention, maintenance, medical treatment and removal from Malaysia of any person under this Act;

(g)

to provide for any matter which, under this Act, is required or permitted to be prescribed or which is necessary or expedient to be prescribed.

Order for payment of compensation to the trafficked person 66a. (1) The Court before which a person is convicted of an offence under this Act may make an order for the payment of a sum fixed by the Court by way of compensation by the convicted person to the trafficked person.

(2)

In relation to the order of the payment of compensation, subsections 426(1a), (1b), (1c) and (1d) of the Criminal Procedure

Code [Act 593] shall apply.

(3)

For the purposes of payment of compensation, section 432

of the Criminal Procedure Code shall apply.

(4)

The order of payment of compensation under this section shall not prevent the commencement of any civil action in Court by the trafficked person against the convicted person.

Order for payment of wages in arrears in the case of no conviction 66b. (1) In the case of no conviction of an offence under this

Act, where payment of wages is in arrears to an alleged trafficked person, the Court shall make an order for the payment of such wages in arrears of a sum fixed by the Court to the alleged trafficked person upon application of the Public Prosecutor after conducting an inquiry by the Court.

(2)

For the purposes of determining the sum of wages in arrears, the Court shall conduct an inquiry within seven days after the date of the decision to determine the order under subsection (1).

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 57

(3)

For the purposes of subsection (2), any evidence produced during the trial of an offence under this Act may be used as evidence by the Court to determine the payment of wages in arrears.

(4)

For the purposes of the payment of wages in arrears under subsection (1), section 432 of the Criminal Procedure Code shall apply.

Prevention of anomalies

Section 67

(2)

In this section, “modifications” include amendments, additions, deletions, substitutions, adaptations, variations, alterations, and non-application of any provisions of this Act.

*NOTE—see section 17 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants

(Amendment) Act 2015 [Act A1500] w.e.f 18 November 2015 which provides the following provision:

“Savings

Section 17

Saving & The amendment of this Act shall not affect any order issued or made under the amended Act prior to the date of coming into operation of this Act.”.

**NOTE—see section 19 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants

(Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1644] w.e.f 22 February 2022 which provides the following provision:

“Saving

Section 19

(2)

All directions, declarations, Protection Orders and interim protection orders made, issued or granted under the principal Act shall, to the extent that the directions, declarations,

Protection Orders and interim protection orders are consistent with the principal Act as amended by this Act, continue to be in force until such directions, declarations, Protection

Orders and interim protection orders are revoked or amended.

(3)

Any investigation, recording of deposition, trial or proceedings done, taken or commenced under the principal Act immediately before the coming into operation of this Act, shall be dealt with as if the principal Act had not been amended by this Act.”.

Act 670

LIST OF AMENDMENTS

Amending law

Short title

In force from

Anti-Trafficking in Persons

(Amendment) Act 2010 15-11-2010

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants

(Amendment) Act 2015 18-11-2015

Act A1644

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants

(Amendment) Act 2022 22-02-2022

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 59

Act 670

LIST OF SECTIONS AMENDED

Section

Amending authority

In force from

Long Title

Act A1385 15-11-2010 1

Act A1385 15-11-2010 2

Act A1644 15-11-2010 18-11-2015 22-02-2022 3

Act A1385 15-11-2010 5

Part Ia

Act A1500 18-11-2015 5a

Act A1500 18-11-2015 5b

Act A1500 18-11-2015 5c

Act A1385 15-11-2010 6

Act A1644 15-11-2010 18-11-2015 22-02-2022 7

Act A1500 15-11-2010 18-11-2015 11

Act A1500 18-11-2015 12

Act A1644 22-02-2022 13

Act A1644 22-02-2022 14

Act A1644 22-02-2022 15

Act A1385 15-11-2010 15a

Act A1644 15-11-2010 22-02-2022 17a

Act A1385 15-11-2010 19

Act A1644 22-02-2022 23

Act 670

Section

Amending authority

In force from 25

Part IIIa

Act A1385 15-11-2010 26a

Act A1644 15-11-2010 22-02-2022 26b

Act A1644 15-11-2010 22-02-2022 26c

Act A1644 15-11-2010 22-02-2022 26d-26k

Act A1385 15-11-2010 27

Act A1644 15-11-2010 22-02-2022 35

Act A1385 15-11-2010 41a

Act A1385 15-11-2010 42

Act A1644 18-11-2015 22-02-2022 43

Act A1644 18-11-2015 22-02-2022 44

Act A1500 15-11-2010 18-11-2015 51

Act A1644 15-11-2010 18-11-2015 22-02-2022 51a

Act A1500 18-11-2015 52

Act A1500 15-11-2010 18-11-2015 54

Act A1644 18-11-2015 22-02-2022 57

Act A1644 22-02-2022 58

Act A1385 15-11-2010 61a

Act A1385 15-11-2010 63

Act A1385 15-11-2010 65a

Anti-Trafficking in Persons and

Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 61

Section

Amending authority

In force from 66

Act A1644 15-11-2010 18-11-2015 22-02-2022 66a

Act A1500 18-11-2015 66b

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Amending instrument	Year
AKTA ANTIPEMERDAGANGAN ORANG DAN ANTIPENYELUDUPAN MIGRAN (PINDAAN) 2015	2015
AKTA ANTIPEMERDAGANGAN ORANG DAN ANTIPENYELUDUPAN MIGRAN (PINDAAN) 2022	2022

ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS ACT 2007

About this act

Part III, IV, V and VI–28 February 2008,

Part I

(2)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(a)

(b)

(a)

(b)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(2)

(2)

Part II

(2)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

(k)

(l)

(lc)

(ld)

(m)

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(n)

(o)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

(k)

(2)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(2)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)