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Smuggling involves individuals who will willingly pay someone to help them cross borders in an irregular way, bypassing legal immigration processes.

Malaysia's geographical location in Southeast Asia makes it a transit point for human smuggling. Smuggling routes sometimes include sea and land crossings, with people risking everything to flee violence, poverty, or persecution.

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The Thin Line Between Smuggling and Trafficking

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The Thin Line Between Smuggling and Trafficking

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The article discusses the distinctions between human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as stated by an expert in the field. While both include the movement of people across borders, human trafficking involves exploitation, coercion, and violations of human rights, whereas migrant smuggling mainly involves assisting the irregular way of entrance or transportation of individuals across borders with payment.

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Law enforcement mixing up human trafficking, migrant smuggling, says expert

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UN forum is told that such confusion can lead to traffickers getting away with lesser employment-related charges in the courts.

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According to the information gathered, there are two types of human smuggling, Gazetted and Non Gazetted ways of entry. Entering the Malaysian border via a gazetted way of entry means that the victims go through immigration but do not receive a stamp from the officer, leading to the entrance data not being recorded in any immigration system. The victims who reach the border by a non-gazetted route enter by a boat from the shore and do not pass through any border officer.

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Sabah-based immigrant smuggling syndicate busted

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Sabah-based immigrant smuggling syndicate busted

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The Sabah Immigration Department uncovered a criminal network that smuggled Filipinos into the state. The syndicate, which has been operating since 2021, charged between RM1,500 and RM2,500 per person and used Bakungan Besar Island as a transit point.

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Cross-Border Tunnel Discovered in Perlis

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Cross-Border Tunnel Discovered in Perlis

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Malaysian border enforcement officers uncovered an underground tunnel in Perlis, which was used to smuggle persons and things across the Thailand-Malaysia border. The finding highlights the ingenuity of smuggling operations, as well as the challenges that border security officers face.

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Tunnels and shelter discovered near Thai border

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KUALA PERLIS: The Border Secu­rity Agency (Aksem) in Perlis found a temporary shelter and two tunnels believed to have been used by treasure hunters and to carry out immoral activities at the foothills of Bukit Putih, Kampung Wai.

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In May 2015, Malaysian authorities discovered a series of mass graves and abandoned camps in the remote jungle area of Wang Kelian, Perlis, near the border with Thailand.

These findings revealed the brutal reality faced by migrants and refugees who fell victim to human smuggling networks operating in the region.

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Wang Kelian mass grave, camp sites under constant monitoring, says Perlis police chief

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PADANG BESAR: The area in the Malaysia-Thailand border around Bukit Wang Burma in Wang Kelian, near here which was the found to be the site of a mass grave and human trafficking camp in 2015 is constantly under police monitoring.

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Sekinchan is a city in Selangor famous for its paddy fields. Human smuggling in this area has continuously been a concern, with people of some nationalities, particularly those from neighboring countries like Indonesia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, often being smuggled through here. The region's close to the coast makes it a center for smuggling, as migrants and refugees seek irregular entry for better economic opportunities.

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Pulau Carey is an island off the west coast of Selangor. In recent years, there have been reports of human smuggling. Migrants, primarily from Indonesia and Bangladesh, often get smuggled into Malaysia for the purpose of work or a better life.

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Pontian is a coastal district in Johor, Malaysia. Its strategic location near the neighboring country's maritime borders has made it a hotspot for migrant smuggling activities. Migrants, primarily from Indonesia and Myanmar, are frequently transported via Pontian, seeking irregular entry into Malaysia for labor or better economic possibilities.

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Muar, a historic town in Johor, has also faced challenges with human smuggling due to its location near the coast. Migrants, particularly from Indonesia and Bangladesh, have been smuggled into the area, typically seeking irregular entry to work in Malaysia's various sectors.

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Melaka is a historic city and UNESCO World Heritage Site on Malaysia's west coast. Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, the city has been involved in human smuggling due to its strategic coastline location. Migrants, especially from Indonesia and Myanmar, are frequently transported into the region with the intention of irregularly entering Malaysia to find work.

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Hutan Melintang, a coastal town in Perak known for its fishing industry, has also become a hotspot for human smuggling due to its location along the Straits of Malacca. Migrants, particularly from Indonesia, have been smuggled into this area, often seeking illegal entry into Malaysia in hopes of finding work. The town's proximity to the coast and its relatively remote nature make it a target for smuggling networks. Authorities in Hutan Melintang are working to clamp down on these activities, focusing on safeguarding migrants and maintaining border security.

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Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, is known for its vast rainforests, diverse indigenous cultures, and shared border with Indonesia on the island of Borneo. This geographical proximity has led to human smuggling activities, primarily involving migrants from Indonesia and the Philippines, who seek illegal entry into Malaysia for work opportunities in sectors like agriculture and construction. The dense jungles and remote areas in Sarawak make it a challenging region for authorities to monitor, but efforts continue to curb smuggling and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.

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Kedah, a state in northern Malaysia known for its paddy fields and scenic landscapes, shares a border with Thailand, making it vulnerable to human smuggling activities. Migrants, primarily from Myanmar, Thailand, and Bangladesh, are often smuggled into the region, seeking to enter Malaysia illegally in search of work or better living conditions. Kedah’s rural terrain and proximity to international borders have made it a focal point for smuggling networks. Local authorities are actively working to disrupt these operations and address the risks faced by the smuggled individuals.

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Terengganu, a coastal state on Malaysia's east coast, is famous for its beautiful beaches and traditional Malay culture. However, its location along the South China Sea has also made it a point of interest for human smuggling activities. Migrants, particularly from Indonesia and Myanmar, are often smuggled into Terengganu, hoping to enter Malaysia illegally for better economic opportunities. The state's vast coastline and remote areas make it a target for smuggling networks, though local authorities continue to crack down on these illegal operations to protect vulnerable individuals and maintain security.

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Kelantan, a northeastern state in Malaysia, is known for its rich cultural heritage and its proximity to the border with Thailand. This strategic location has made it a hotspot for human smuggling activities, with migrants from countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, and Bangladesh being smuggled into Malaysia. Many of these individuals seek work or asylum, hoping for better opportunities. The porous border and rural nature of Kelantan make it a challenging area for authorities to fully secure, but efforts to combat smuggling and human trafficking continue to intensify.