Malaysia Aviation Group Pledges To Fight Human and Wildlife Trafficking

KLIA, 15 November 2017: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) today declared zero-tolerance for human and wildlife trafficking at the launch of its anti-human and anti-wildlife trafficking campaign at KL International Airport (KLIA). The campaign is in line with the Group’s ongoing efforts in supporting the work of enforcement in the fight against these illegal activities.

An exhibition will be held for three days at KLIA (starting from 15^th November), Level 5 to educate the public on human and wildlife trafficking issues. This exhibition is supported by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO), The Department of Wildlife and National Parks, TRAFFIC (the wildlife trade monitoring network NGO), Tenaganita as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The event was graced by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Masir Kujat, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Sri Alwi bin Hj Ibrahim, Secretary General of the Home Ministry, Her Excellency Madam Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, the United States Ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Badlisham Bin Ghazali, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAHB) as well as members of the board of MAG.

Malaysia Airlines Berhad’s  Executive Counsel, Nik Azli Abu Zahar said, “Over the past two years, Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) has taken an active stance against human and wildlife trafficking. Most recently, we signed the Buckingham Declaration in June 2017 which unites the world’s leading organisations and wildlife charities under a common purpose – one that has created a global movement for change against wildlife trafficking.

Wildlife trafficking is the 4th largest organized crime activity after the trafficking of humans, drugs and counterfeiting. It is an industry that generates more than USD20 billion in profits annually and this trade reduces biodiversity, destroys fragile ecosystems, threatens wildlife with extinction, fuels corruption and undermines governance.”

“We are also working closely with MAPO on human trafficking, a crime that ranks among the worst forms of human rights abuse and is the lifeblood of many organised criminal groups. Criminals rely heavily on air transportation to smuggle victims from one place to another and we wish to help put a stop to this. We will continue working together with the likes of MAPO to train and empower our staff, especially our cabin crew, to be our eyes in the skies and on ground to report any suspicious activities,” Nik Azli said.

“It is important that as a Group we take on a zero-tolerance policy on wildlife and human trafficking,” he added.

MAG developed its policy against human trafficking in August 2016 and has since issued a circular to all its business partners to stress on the seriousness of this crime and the close cooperation needed in stemming this illegal activity. Training activities are underway to help staff identify potential human traffickers and their victims.

Specific progress made on wildlife trafficking includes talks and trainings internally, with more than 4,000 of its front liners, wildlife trafficking videos on its In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) Systems fleet wide, as well as anti-wildlife trafficking statement on all of its passenger check-in countertops to serve as a reminder and create awareness amongst the travelling public.