Dr. Hartini Zainudin’s human trafficking rescue stories are heart-wrenching. One particular incident saw Dr. Hartini making the issue a personal one. It all began when she was told that a two-and-a-half month old baby in Klang needed to be adopted and she was asked to help find prospective adoptive parents for her.

“I went up with friends of friends to meet the lady who was taking care of her and realized quickly that the baby was not in good hands. There was no birth certificate or hospital record. They were negotiating the price of the child and if I wanted the baby to come with a birth certificate or not. I was told that if no one took this baby, she would be dropped off in Pulau Ketam, which was notoriously known as the place to dump unwanted children for prostitution and other illegal activities,” she says. So she quickly decided to get her out, informing JKM (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) and filing a police report thereafter. “As soon as I informed JKM, I knew that this child was now stateless and what would ensue will be court procedures, investigation by the police and a ward of the state,” she explains.

She cites how long and painful child adoption process can be. After two years of this complicated process, prospective guardians would have to apply for the child’s citizenship which could take up to 10 years. It also becomes an expensive procedure as non-Malaysian children do not have equal access to education. They have no allowance to open bank accounts or even to work. Taking on the responsibility of this child was difficult as she was also in the process of adopting a little boy but with the support of her family, she did it knowing everything would be alright.

It was certainly fate that brought these two together as Dr. Hartini began working on the human trafficking cause quite by chance. She recalls so many harrowing rescue incidents where children, usually under the age of seven were sold like commodities on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis to the highest bidder. This work has completely changed her life; making her realize how rampant illegal adoption is in this country. Dr. Hartini continues to stay strong for her daughter and son as well as for the other unfortunate children who need to be rescued from the atrocities of human trafficking.