Source: Selangor Times
Writer: Lee Choon Fai
Published: Fri, 23 Nov 2012
SUBANG JAYA: Instead of the usual clothing apparel, Offline Blogshop in Sunway Pyramid had real living, breathing human beings in store on Nov 17, which drew curious looks from shoppers.
 |
‘Human for sale’ attracting attention.
|
However, the public need not worry as they are not actually for sale; the people being displayed are volunteers on a mission to create awareness of human trafficking in Malaysia.
The campaign, dubbed ‘Human for Sale’, was jointly organised by Offline Blogshop and anti-human trafficking non-governmental organisation (NGO) Change Your World.
A separate display will be held in Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 24 and 25.
Shop owner Sharon Lim said she had done her own research regarding the matter and wanted to spread the word to the general public.
“You would be surprised how many people do not know about it (human trafficking); I believe this is the first time (learning about human trafficking) for many shoppers,” said Sharon.
Through her own research, she realised the scope of the problem in Malaysia and said raising awareness can help counter the problem greatly.
It was reported by AsiaOne News, a Singaporean online news portal, that 7,662 children went missing in Malaysia between 2008 and 2011, which means about five children go missing daily.
“Our goal is to create awareness so that people will be more vigilant and can look out for their children, friends and family,” said Sharon.
While there have been similar “Human for Sale” campaigns around the world, this is the first in Malaysia.
More than 100 volunteers are working to promote their cause while 55 of them pose as human trafficking victims for display in the shop.
Change Your World founder Kelvin Lim said the campaign on Sunday was all about making the problem known as public ignorance is a major obstacle in addressing human trafficking.
“Malaysia is a transit for human trafficking, victims are often kept in housing areas and go unnoticed. If people know of this and keep their eyes open I believe it can help,” said Kelvin.
The campaign is also an attempt to engage the younger generation and use their creativity to combat what Kelvin called “modern day slavery”.
At the 2pm launching ceremony, Kelvin said: “People were created to be loved, things were created to be used. The reason the world is in chaos is because things are being loved, and people are being used.”
Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh said human trafficking is a serious problem in Malaysia as it is becoming cheaper and easier to move people around.
“From what I heard, Bandar Sunway used to be a trafficking hub about two years ago,” said Yeoh. She added that the problem is especially prevalent in the Klang Valley and the state had ordered local councils to set up anti-human trafficking committees in all local councils to address the situation.
Also present at the event was Offline Blogshop chief executive Yeo Bee Sean.
No comments:
Post a Comment