By Wihelmina Mowe

Partnership with Malaysian Government 

After many years of engaging the government on issues of trafficking,  the Malaysian government has recognized the roles of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in combating trafficking in persons, by adopting the concept of electing NGO staff as Protection Officers for victims of trafficking. 

On 10 April 2017, five staff from Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd (PKGS) received their appointment as Protection Officers in a presentation ceremony at Putrajaya, the federal administrative capital of Malaysia.   The appointment certificates were presented by Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamid, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Who are involved?

A total of 12 Protection Officers from 6 NGOs were appointed to participate in this program, 5 of who are from  PKGS. They are Dionetta David, Mag Chin Yoke Yin and Teo Kar Im, for Kuala Lumpur – Selangor; and Petra Poh Mei Ling, and Maria Binti Masilang or Sabah state.

How does it work?

At present, the main focus of the Protection Officers (PO) is to assist the government-run women shelters in case management.   In addition, POs are required to accompany the women to court or hospital, especially in the event that the government shelters are short-handed or in an emergency. 

This is a first for the Government of Malaysia and a major step in the government-NGO collaboration to combat human trafficking.  We are proud and excited to be part of this initiative as it takes us one step further into influencing the State to take on a more active approach in victim assistance and protection.