COMMITTED TO TACKLING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday assured Australia that Malaysia would do all it could to prevent illegal immigrants from slipping into Australia, and did not want this country to be a transit point. The Prime Minister said security agencies of both countries would work together, including in the areas of patrol, surveillance and exchange of intelligence.

“We have agreed that defence chiefs of both nations would discuss other ways in combating human trafficking,” Najib told reporters at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd, at the former’s office here.

Rudd is making a stopover here enroute to a six-day foreign trip. Najib said the new initiatives in tackling the problem would focus on pre-emptive measures, including greater exchange of intelligence.

It has been reported that thousands of illegal immigrants from war-torn countries or those hit badly by economic problems, head to Australia, with some allegedly using Malaysia as a transit point.

Commenting on the same issue, Rudd thanked Malaysia for cooperating with Australia in combating people smuggling activities which the latter described as “the evil trade”. Malaysia had successfully prevented several groups (of immigrants) from illegally entering Australia, noted Rudd.

“Exit factor has put pressure on the problem. The push factor derived from security and economic forces. Our challenges are to deal at the source, transit point and back home. We will take every practical and hardline measure to combat the evil trade,” said the Australian premier.

Najib said their discussions also touched on trade, green technology and education. On trade, Rudd said the two countries enjoyed a good, bilateral trade as they were among the top 10 trading partners in both directions.

Touching on green technology, Najib said Malaysia was keen to learn more from Australia’s initiative in carbon-reduction emission technology, as well as its renewable technology, such as solar energy.

Najib also told Rudd that Malaysia would hold an exhibition next year to showcase its green technology. Rudd said the country was looking forward to working with Malaysia on sharing the green technologies.

On education, Najib said 30,000 Malaysian students were currently studying in Australia. Rudd also acknowledged the joint Malaysia-Australia effort in training Afghanistan teachers in Malaysia at the moment.

He congratulated Najib over his recent economic programmes, and said he was looking forward to Najib’s visit to Australia.