AZURA ABAS New Straits Times 15 Nov 17;
SEPANG: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) today declared zero-tolerance for human and wildlife trafficking.
Malaysia Airlines Bhd's executive counsel Nik Azli Abu Zahar said for the past two years, it had taken an active stance against such trafficking activities.
"We signed the Buckingham Declaration in June this year which united the world's leading organisations and wildlife charities under a common purpose- one that has created a global movement for change against wildlife trafficking," he said.
Nik Azli said this at the launch of MAG's anti-human and anti-wildlife trafficking roadshow by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Masir Kujat at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Also present were United States Ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Shirin Lakhdir and Malaysia Airports Bhd managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali.
Wildlife trafficking is the fourth largest organised crime activity after trafficking of humans, drugs and counterfeiting.
It is an industry that generates more than US$20 billion (RM84.6 billion) in profits annually.
The illegal activity reduces biodiversity, destroys fragile ecosystems, threatens wildlife with extinction, fuels corruption and undermines governance.
Nik Azli said MAG developed its policy against human trafficking in August last year.
"It has since issued a circular to all its business partners to stress on the seriousness of this crime and the close cooperation needed in stemming these illegal activities.
"Training is underway to help staff identified potential human traffickers and their victims," he added.
Specific progress made on wildlife trafficking includes talks and trainings internally with more than 4,000 of its frontliners; wildlife trafficking videos on its In-Flight Entertainment Systems as well as anti-wildlife trafficking statement on all of its passenger check-in countertops to serve as a reminder and create awareness among the passengers.
Badlisham said MAHB would get everyone in the airports to look out for traffickers and their victims.
"We can get even the cleaners to be our eyes and ears on this by being more sensitive about their surroundings especially to those who act suspiciously in the airport," he added.
Earlier, Masir said the government was aware that the country's airports were being used as hubs and transit points for the trafficking in persons and wildlife animals.
"Statistics shows that the aviation industry is thriving really well in Malaysia and with it comes various opportunities for people to earn a living.
"Unfortunately, there are some irresponsible people and syndicates that take advantage of this situation," he said.
Masir said Malaysia had implemented various measures to combat the heinous crimes including through legislative instrument.
He added consistent efforts and commitments of the home ministry's Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants members in improving the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions of trafficking in persons' cases as well as improving several aspects of victim's protection.
