KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the issue of forced labor in Malaysia, emphasising imminent action and the implementation of stringent regulations.
Minister V Sivakumar disclosed that the Labor Department would escalate operations nationwide, adopting a more proactive approach against forced labor starting next year.
"Beginning next year, our department will be steadfast and proactive in conducting various operations related to forced labor issues within the country.
"We are ready to take immediate action upon receiving reports or complaints," he said during the press conference today.
Earlier, the New Straits Times reported an alarming RM6.72 million in unpaid wages were reported by Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia, with RM796,225 owed to 133 victims awaiting compensation.
Indonesia's chief envoy, Hermono, revealed that out of the 133 victims, only eight possessed permits, highlighting the extent of the problem as authorities struggled to identify those without proper documentation.
Hermono told the New Straits Times Focus team that the embassy had handled 374 cases of unpaid wages in the past three years until last month, with 95 per cent involving domestic workers.
Sivakumar reiterated the importance of reporting any information related to forced labor to facilitate prompt and necessary actions.
"I am unwilling to rely solely on assumptions or allegations presenting inflated numbers, claiming a high prevalence of forced labor in our country.
"If we can't address these issues based on credible information, what meaningful actions can we take?
"I urge anyone identifying forced labor in the area to report it to the Labour department. With that information, we will take immediate action to resolve the issue and obtain accurate figures."
At the same event, Sivakumar urged the media to persist in reporting while upholding good values, even in the face of sensational issues.
He emphasised that with wisdom and responsible journalistic ethics, all news has the potential to positively influence public perception.
"I hope the media continues reporting with integrity, transparency, and accuracy. Indeed, the value of news lies not in unconfirmed sensationalism but in the quality of reporting conducted by the media," he said.
