Trafficking and prostitution of indonesian women in Malaysia: insights from the victims

Nafisah Ilham Hussin

Abstract

Human trafficking, especially involving women, is a planned and transnational crime that spans various countries, including Southeast Asia nations like Malaysia and Indonesia. Trafficking of Indonesian women forced into prostitution in Malaysia is deeply concerning. It requires aggressive and comprehensive government actions to combat the crimes. This preliminary study identifies the root causes of the trafficking of Indonesian women into forced prostitution in Malaysia and the actions taken by the Malaysian government to address this issue. To achieve these objectives, primary data was collected through interviews conducted from May 2023 to August 2023. Four Indonesian women who were victims of trafficking and employed as prostitutes in Malaysia participated in these interviews. Additionally, this study is supported by the report data, including the UNODC Report and the US TIP Report. The study found that the primary factor leading them to become trafficking victims is economic desperation. Economic factors are both the reason they became victims and the reason they resigned themselves to their situation, continuing their work as prostitutes even after realizing they had been deceived and trafficked. To address this issue, the Malaysian government has undertaken several efforts, including the establishment of the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO), the enactment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and AntiSmuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM 2007), the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Amendment) 2022 (Act A1644), the launch of the National Action Plan on Anti-Trafficking in Persons (2010-2015), the National Action Plan on Anti-Trafficking in Persons (2016-2020), and the National Action Plan on Anti-Trafficking in Persons 2021-2025 (NAPTIP 3.0). (2023), All Rights Reserved.

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