Malaysia

All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) is a feminist organization that advocates for gender equality and women’s rights in Malaysia. While its primary focus is on preventing and responding to gender-based violence, AWAM also addresses issues affecting migrant women, including labor exploitation and trafficking. The organization engages in policy advocacy, public education, capacity-building, and awareness-raising initiatives, while also providing support services and referrals for women in crisis. Through its work, AWAM promotes women’s rights, challenges discrimination, and advocates for legal and policy reforms to advance gender equality and social justice.

Amnesty International Malaysia works on a wide range of human rights issues, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples, refugees and migrants, LGBTI persons, and other marginalized groups. The organization advocates for the protection and promotion of human rights through research, public campaigns, policy engagement, and human rights education. Amnesty International Malaysia also addresses the exploitation of migrant workers and trafficking in persons by conducting research, raising awareness, and advocating for laws and policies that strengthen the protection of migrant workers’ rights, improve access to justice, and hold perpetrators of trafficking and labor exploitation accountable.

The Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (AOHD), under the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, promotes social justice and human development, with a focus on supporting marginalized communities, including migrants and refugees. The organization addresses issues such as human trafficking, labor exploitation, migration, and gender-based violence through advocacy, capacity-building, community outreach, and partnerships with organizations such as the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC). AOHD also works to raise public awareness and strengthen local responses to trafficking and exploitation in Malaysia.

The Association of Nationalist Overseas Filipino Workers (Asosasyon ng mga Makabayang Manggagawang Pilipino Overseas – AMMPO) was established in Malaysia in 2014 and was officially registered with the Embassy of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur in 2016. AMMPO is a migrant worker organization that serves as a mutual support network for Filipino workers in Malaysia, the majority of whom are domestic workers. In addition to providing peer support, the organization engages in policy advocacy and worker-led campaigns to promote and protect the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers. AMMPO is affiliated with SENTRO ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), one of the largest labor centers in the Philippines, and is also a member of the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), strengthening its engagement in national and global advocacy for migrant and domestic workers’ rights.

Asylum Access Malaysia, established in 2014, works to protect and advance the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia. Its field operations include the provision of direct legal services, “Know Your Options” training programs, and advocacy aimed at improving access to protection and rights for displaced persons. The organization also engages with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other stakeholders involved in Malaysia’s refugee rights movement to promote legal protection, inclusion, and durable solutions for refugees and people seeking asylum.

The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) is a key stakeholder in Malaysia’s efforts to combat trafficking in persons (TIP). AGC was among the principal agencies consulted by the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO) on proposed recommendations and other issues related to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM). AGC has issued an internal circular reminding Deputy Public Prosecutors (DPPs) to prioritize engagement with TIP victims in order to build trust and rapport, and has organized state-level workshops on trafficking in persons as part of its capacity-building efforts for prosecutors.

The Malaysian Bar Council is the professional body responsible for regulating and representing the legal profession in Peninsular Malaysia. In addition to its regulatory functions, the Bar Council actively advocates for the protection of human rights and the rule of law. It has called on the Malaysian Government to investigate and address allegations of human trafficking and labor exploitation and has supported the establishment of specialized courts to handle trafficking in persons (TIP) cases. Through legal advocacy, policy engagement, and public awareness initiatives, the Bar Council contributes to efforts to strengthen access to justice and improve the legal response to human trafficking in Malaysia.

The Coalition to Abolish Modern-Day Slavery in Asia (CAMSA) is an international coalition of non-governmental organizations that works collaboratively to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery across Asia. By leveraging the collective expertise of its members and partners, CAMSA addresses trafficking as a transnational crime through advocacy, victim protection, capacity-building, research, and cross-border cooperation. The coalition’s members and partners operate in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. CAMSA was established in February 2008 through the joint efforts of BPSOS (formerly Boat People SOS), the International Society for Human Rights, the Vietnamese Canadian Federation, and the U.S. Committee to Protect Vietnamese Workers, with the aim of strengthening regional and international responses to human trafficking and labor exploitation.

Dignity in Work for All is an organization committed to promoting fair labor practices by empowering workers, strengthening labor organizations, and supporting governments and businesses in upholding accountability and sustainability. It also advocates for a deeper understanding of the interconnected nature of labor issues.

Engender Consultancy is a think tank and civil society organization committed to advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality. The organization works collaboratively with women and men in communities, organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies to design strategic solutions that promote transformative social change. Its areas of expertise include gender analysis, strategic advocacy planning, monitoring and evaluation, and facilitating dialogue and discourse on gender equality. Through research, capacity-building, and collaborative partnerships, Engender Consultancy seeks to strengthen gender-responsive policies, programs, and institutions.

Fortify Rights is an independent non-profit human rights organization based in Southeast Asia and registered in the United States and Switzerland. The organization works to advance and protect human rights through investigations of human rights violations, strategic advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and support for initiatives led by human rights defenders, affected communities, and civil society organizations. Fortify Rights has a strong focus on Myanmar, including advocacy and protection efforts related to Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers. Through research, documentation, capacity-building, and policy engagement, the organization seeks to promote accountability, justice, and the protection of human rights for vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Good Shepherd Services (GSB) is committed to providing care, welfare, and a range of interventions for individuals experiencing poverty, gender-based violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The organization focuses particularly on women and children, including survivors of trafficking in persons (TIP), migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers who have experienced gender-based violence. GSB operates shelters and outreach programs that provide case management, counseling, awareness-raising, and other support services. The organization receives funding from the Malaysian Government to implement the Victim Assistance Specialist (VAS) Programme and to operate shelter homes for TIP victims. GSB is also a member of the Victim Assessment and Coordination Committee (VAC), which is coordinated by the National Strategic Office for the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (NSO MAPO), and participates in the Technical Working Group for the development of the National Action Plan on Anti-Trafficking in Persons 2021–2025.

Good Shepherd Services (GSS) is part of the Good Shepherd Sisters, an international congregation operating in 73 countries across six continents. Its mission is to uphold the rights, dignity, and well-being of women and children, particularly those from underserved communities and those affected by sexual and gender-based violence. GSS operates two Service Centres in Sabah and Ipoh, providing programs and services that promote the well-being and empowerment of young people and local communities. Its YouthPREP Centre in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah serves as a key advocate for youth issues, particularly education and gender-based violence. The Centre functions as both a drop-in facility and a community outreach hub through its YouthPREPLink programs, which engage young people in rural communities and focus on self-awareness, leadership, and empowerment.

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is Malaysia’s national human rights institution and an independent body mandated to promote and protect human rights. It investigates complaints of human rights violations, including cases related to trafficking in persons (TIP), and engages in advocacy, monitoring, research, and public education. SUHAKAM has provided recommendations and input to government anti-trafficking initiatives, conducts periodic visits to shelters for trafficking victims, and raises public awareness about the risks and impacts of human trafficking. In August 2019, SUHAKAM established the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, an independent office dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of children in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The International Labour Organization (ILO) works in partnership with the Government of Malaysia, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), and the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) to promote decent work and strengthen labour governance in Malaysia. Its work focuses on protecting and promoting rights at work, strengthening national capacities to meet the changing needs of the labour market, and improving labour migration governance. Key areas of cooperation include labour law reform and compliance, industrial relations and social dialogue, forced and child labour, responsible business conduct and supply chains, social protection, migrant workers, skills development, and SME development. Although the ILO does not maintain a country office in Malaysia, it operates through a Joint Project Office in Kuala Lumpur, with technical and programmatic support provided by the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) is a member of the MAPO Inter-Agency Task Force, which was established to strengthen enforcement efforts against trafficking in persons (TIP) and migrant smuggling. As the agency responsible for immigration control and border management, JIM plays a key role in identifying trafficking cases, enforcing immigration laws, conducting investigations, and collaborating with other government agencies to prevent and combat trafficking and related transnational crimes.

IOM Malaysia’s areas of work include refugee resettlement; migration health; cultural orientation; assisted voluntary return of victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants; immigration and border management; labour migration and human development: and migration law, policy and public information. It is a member of the Technical Working Group for the development of the National Action Plan on Anti Trafficking in Persons 2021-2025.

The Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights and constitutionalism in Malaysia. Through its UndiMsia! initiative and strategic litigation program, MCCHR adopts an integrated approach to advancing civic participation, human rights, and democratic governance.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is a member of the MAPO Inter-Agency Task Force, which was established to strengthen enforcement efforts against trafficking in persons (TIP) and related transnational crimes. As the agency responsible for law enforcement in the Malaysian Maritime Zone, MMEA plays a key role in maritime border security, surveillance, interdiction, and collaboration with other enforcement agencies to detect and prevent trafficking, smuggling, and other illicit activities at sea.

Migrant CARE Malaysia serves as a frontline extension of Migrant CARE, focusing on counseling, advocacy, research, and education related to migrant worker rights and protection. The organization acts as a coordinating platform for Indonesian migrant communities and associations (paguyuban) in Malaysia and collaborates closely with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to address issues affecting Indonesian migrants, including stateless children, trafficking victims, forced labor, child labor, access to education for migrant children, and family reunification and reintegration. Migrant CARE Malaysia also engages in research on population movements, migration governance, and migration policy in partnership with leading universities in Malaysia, contributing to evidence-based advocacy and policy development on migrant rights and protection.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is the lead ministry for the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO) and plays a central role in coordinating Malaysia’s efforts to combat trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. The ministry also serves as the national focal point for the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC). In support of its security and anti-trafficking mandate, MoHA collaborates with international organizations and partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) is responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to labor and employment in Malaysia. Its areas of responsibility include skills development, labor standards, occupational safety and health, trade unions, industrial relations, industrial dispute resolution through the Industrial Court, labor market information and analysis, and social security. Through these functions, MOHR works to promote decent work, protect workers’ rights, enhance workforce skills and productivity, and support the development of a fair and inclusive labor market.

The National Council of Women’s Organisations (NCWO) is a national coalition of 116 women’s organizations across Malaysia that advocates for the full and equal participation of women in all aspects of development. The organization works to advance women’s rights and gender equality through advocacy, capacity-building, and policy engagement in areas including human rights, anti-trafficking, national unity, women’s health, women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, support for marginalized women and communities, and the promotion of women’s leadership and contributions to sustainable development.

The National Strategic Office for the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (NSO MAPO) is responsible for coordinating and implementing national policies, strategies, and programs related to trafficking in persons (TIP) and the smuggling of migrants. The office supports the work of the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO) by facilitating inter-agency coordination, policy implementation, stakeholder engagement, and the monitoring of anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling initiatives. NSO MAPO also plays a central role in strengthening national efforts to prevent trafficking, protect victims, prosecute offenders, and enhance cooperation among government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners.

North South Initiative (NSI) is a non-profit social enterprise that seeks to advance sustainable social justice by empowering marginalized communities with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve sustainable development. One of its key thematic areas focuses on migrant workers, using a rights-based approach to address labor rights violations through research, advocacy, training, and capacity-building. NSI also provides consulting services to help businesses prevent and remedy forced labor and human trafficking in their supply chains. Its work includes worker empowerment, community organizing, strategic litigation, social audits, labor rights remediation, shelter services for migrant workers in distress, management training, and the development of data-driven tools such as helplines and mobile applications. Through its interventions, NSI has helped migrant workers recover more than RM15 million in unpaid wages, as well as significant amounts in illegally charged recruitment fees.

Our Journey, established in 2017, works to assist migrant workers in accessing remedies and justice through case management, mediation with employers and recruitment agents, and legal representation in labor, immigration, and criminal cases. The organization also serves as a platform for experts and stakeholders working on migration issues to develop and advocate for policies and practices that strengthen migrant protection. Through engagement with government agencies, the private sector, and civil society, Our Journey promotes a migration system for non-citizens that is aligned with international standards and human rights principles.

Persatuan Pekerja Rumah Tangga Indonesia Migran (PERTIMIG) is an independent organization established by Indonesian migrant domestic workers in Malaysia on 15 December 2019. The organization advocates for decent work, labor rights, and the welfare of Indonesian migrant domestic workers and their families, while promoting stronger legal and policy protections. Serving as a grassroots network for domestic workers, PERTIMIG provides training on workers’ rights and digital literacy, facilitates peer support, and engages in policy advocacy. The organization has also organized online campaigns and dialogues with government representatives to address issues affecting migrant domestic workers and improve their working and living conditions in Malaysia.

Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS) works to ensure that women workers have access to their rights under labor laws and other legislation affecting gender equality and women’s rights. The organization conducts programs on labor rights, sexual harassment, violence against women, and gender equality, while actively advocating for labor law reform and stronger worker protections. PSWS has contributed to advocacy efforts related to amendments to the Employment Act, Industrial Relations Act, and Trade Unions Act, and continues to be led primarily by women workers, reflecting its strong grassroots focus on worker empowerment and representation.

Project Liber8 is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing attitudes and perceptions about human trafficking, forced labor, exploitation, discrimination against trafficking survivors, migrant workers, and refugees. Founded in 2011 by a 19-year-old youth advocate, the organization places a strong emphasis on youth engagement and empowerment, recognizing young people as key agents of change in combating trafficking in persons. Project Liber8 works across four main areas—knowledge production, technology, data science, and partnerships—to equip and mobilize young people to take action against human trafficking and related forms of exploitation. The organization is also a member of the Technical Working Group for the development of the National Action Plan on Anti-Trafficking in Persons 2021–2025, contributing its expertise to national anti-trafficking efforts.

Protect and Save the Children (P.S. The Children) is a Malaysian child protection organization dedicated to building safer communities where children are protected from sexual abuse and exploitation. The organization focuses exclusively on the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child sexual abuse through education, case management, treatment, and advocacy. It provides prevention education for children and adults, supports affected children and families through case management and therapeutic services, and advocates for stronger child protection systems and policies. Through community partnerships and awareness-raising initiatives, P.S. The Children works to prevent abuse, support survivors, and strengthen child protection mechanisms.

The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) serves as the lead enforcement agency under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) and has assigned 248 officers to its specialized anti-trafficking unit. RMP is also a member of the MAPO Inter-Agency Task Force, established to strengthen enforcement efforts against trafficking in persons (TIP).

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) is a member of the MAPO Inter-Agency Task Force, which was established to strengthen enforcement efforts against trafficking in persons and related transnational crimes. RMCD contributes to anti-trafficking efforts through border control, customs enforcement, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency cooperation aimed at detecting and preventing trafficking and smuggling activities.

SHUT (Secure, Humanity, Understanding and Take Action) is a Malaysian organization that focuses on the prevention of human trafficking through awareness-raising programs, education initiatives, and public campaigns. The organization works to increase public understanding of trafficking in persons, promote community engagement, and encourage action to prevent exploitation and trafficking.

SUKA Society is a Malaysian non-governmental organization that works to protect and uphold the best interests of marginalized and vulnerable children. The organization focuses on child protection, access to justice, and the empowerment of children and young people through advocacy, capacity-building, and direct support services.

Tenaganita is a Malaysian human rights and non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of migrants, refugees, women, and children. The organization works to address exploitation, discrimination, forced labor, slavery, and human trafficking through advocacy, direct assistance, research, and public awareness initiatives.

The Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO) was established under the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate the implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM). MAPO is responsible for formulating policies and programs to prevent and combat trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants in Malaysia. Its membership comprises representatives from relevant ministries, enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations, including non-governmental organizations. MAPO operates through five committees: the Legislative Committee, Enforcement Committee, Victim Care and Protection Committee, Media and Publicity Committee, and the Special Committee on Labour Trafficking. MAPO reports to the High-Level Committee (HLC), which is chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs.

UNICEF Malaysia works to advance the rights and well-being of children through programs focused on child protection, education and learning, health, nutrition and child development (“Survive and Thrive”), and social and behavioural change. The organization works with government, civil society, and communities to protect children from violence, improve access to quality education and health services, and promote an enabling environment where every child can survive, thrive, learn, and reach their full potential.

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) is a Malaysian non-governmental organization whose mission is to end violence against women and promote gender equality. WAO provides shelter, counseling, legal assistance, and advocacy services to women experiencing violence, including domestic violence survivors, abused migrant workers, and trafficked women. The organization also works to strengthen protection mechanisms and advance women’s rights through public education, policy advocacy, and collaboration with government agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. WAO operates a hotline (03-3000 8858) and a 24-hour Think I Need Aid (TINA) WhatsApp Hotline (018-988 8058) to provide support and assistance to women in need.

Yayasan Chow Kit is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and teenagers in and around the Chow Kit area of Kuala Lumpur. The foundation operates two drop-in centres and a safe home that provides temporary guardianship for children in need of protection and care.