For three days, Shah Alam became the centre of an important conversation: how Malaysia can do better in caring for and protecting victims of human trafficking.
From August 25 to 27, 2025, the Workshop on the Refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Care and Protection of Trafficked Persons and the Establishment of Criteria for Shelters for Victims of Human Trafficking took place, organised by the Policy and Strategic Planning Division of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).
Review and refine current SOP
The workshop continued from an earlier SOP review session held in October 2024, and once again brought together agencies under KPWKM alongside representatives from protection shelters.
The main focus was to review existing work processes and refine the SOPs to make them more comprehensive, while also drafting shelter criteria that are aligned with international standards.
The three-day session brought together various agencies and stakeholders, including:
- Department of Development (Jabatan Pembangunan)
- Chief Government Security Office (CGSO), Security and Technical Evaluation Division
- Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia
- Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)
- Public Works Department (JKR)
- Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM)
- Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj)
- Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM)
- National Strategic Office for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (NSO MAPO)
- Development Division, KPWKM
- Legal Advisory Division, KPWKM
- Department of Social Welfare (JKM)
By the end of the session, participants had laid the groundwork for clearer SOPs and consistent shelter criteria — key steps in ensuring that victims of trafficking receive care and protection in line with global practices.
