The Securitisation of Human Trafficking in Malaysia

Human trafficking is a serious transnational crime that exploits vulnerable individuals through covert networks, generating approximately $150 billion in illicit profits annually. In 2022, an estimated 50 million people were victims of trafficking worldwide. Malaysia, as both a source and destination country, remains a focal point for traffickers due to various socio-economic and structural factors. The urgency to combat trafficking as a national security issue heightened in 2007 when Malaysia was downgraded to Tier 3 in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Since then, the Malaysian government has intensified its anti-trafficking efforts, influenced by international scrutiny. This article examines the securitisation of human trafficking in Malaysia, focusing on legislative measures, enforcement strategies, and multi-stakeholder collaborations. A qualitative methodology is employed, utilising document analysis of national policies and international reports, scholarly literature, and media sources. Findings reveal that while securitisation has improved enforcement outcomes, it remains uneven in addressing structural vulnerabilities and victim protection.