Should migrant trafficking camps be preserved for historical record?

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Migrant Trafficking Camps: Preserving Sites for Historical Record and Deterrence

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has proposed that the human trafficking camps discovered near the Malaysia-Thailand border be preserved for posterity. His suggestion aims to serve as a historical record and a deterrent against future human trafficking activities, rather than as a tourist attraction. This stance has drawn criticism, with some accusing the minister of lacking empathy.
Preserving Camps as a Historical Reminder

Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim visited one of the discovered camps near Lubuk Sireh, Perlis, noting the presence of facilities such as a surau, mosque, and a vegetable farm, alongside writings on the walls that indicated its past use. He clarified that his intention was not to create a tourist destination, but rather to leave some of the tents intact as a tangible reminder of the human trafficking incidents. This preservation, he believes, would educate the public about the grim reality of these camps and the suffering they represent.
Deterrent Against Future Trafficking

Beyond serving as a historical record, Shahidan suggested that preserving these camps could actively deter future human trafficking. By maintaining a presence at these sites and making them observable, he posited that it could discourage criminal elements from establishing similar operations. He drew a parallel to the historical preservation of camps used by Vietcong forces near the Cambodian border, implying a similar function of historical documentation and deterrence.
Criticism and Ethical Considerations

The proposal has faced strong opposition, notably from DAP, whose Bukit Bendera political education director Syerleena Abdul Rashid accused Shahidan of lacking empathy and compassion. Critics argue that such a proposal, regardless of its intended purpose, can be perceived as insensitive and potentially exploitative, especially to victims and their families. The concept of "dark tourism," which involves visiting sites associated with death and tragedy, is a complex field, and proposals to preserve sites of immense human suffering often raise significant ethical questions about memorialisation, remembrance, and the potential for re-traumatisation.

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Should migrant trafficking camps be preserved for historical record?

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