III. The Discovery of the Wang Kelian Mass Graves and Human-Trafficking Camp 68 Notification of the Meeting Decision to Perlis State Police Chief Person F in his statement to the Commission informed that he notified the Perlis State Chief Police on the briefing that took place on January 20, 2015. He further informed the Perlis State Chief Police on his order to destroy the camp and investigate the site believed to be a gravesite near the camp in Wang Burma hill. Person A stated that the Perlis State Chief Police did not object to the order. Subsequently, Person F stated that the decision to destroy the camp was agreed by the members of the meeting, as the focus of the meeting was in the context of “undocumented foreign migrants” and the camp. He stressed to the Commission that the decision to destroy the camp was made in good faith. When he was asked about the delay in informing members of the public about the discovery of the gravesite, Person F stated that the Police had to conduct combing and cleaning operations as the place was used for Communist activities previously. STATEMENT OF SENIOR OFFICER OF DISTRICT POLICE HEADQUARTERS OF PADANG BESAR, PERLIS STATE In his statement to the Commission, “Person H,” Senior Officer in the District Police Headquarters of Padang Besar in Perlis State, confirmed that he was the Investigating Officer for the police report.236 He confirmed details on the discovery of the camp on Wang Burma hill in Wang Kelian, Perlis State and informed the Commission that the police initiated a Police Inquiry Paper (KEP) to enable an investigation by the order of Person G, Padang Besar Chief Police in Perlis State. Action of Investigating Officer Regarding the Case Person H stated to the Commission that he recorded statements from 38 “undocumented foreign migrants” detained by GOF personnel on January 22, 2015 in Kangar in Perlis State. Four police officers assisted Person H in recording the statements, namely: “Inspector I,” “Major-Sergeant J,” “Inspector K,” and an officer whose name he could not recall. Person H said that the session ended late in the evening, and the statements of the 38 detainees showed that they were new cases of “undocumented foreign migrants.” Person H was ordered by “Superintendent G” to conduct a site visit to Wang Kelian on January 23, 2015. Phase I visit was conducted on January 23, 2015 as a part of the investigation. Twenty police officers and personnel went to Wang Burma hill and took photographs and drew rough diagrams of the location. The team discovered a temporary campsite built on the Wang Burma hill. Person H stated that he saw guard posts among the trees and cages on the ground believed to hold “undocumented foreign migrants” at the scene. He estimated that the camp could hold approximately 50 persons. He observed remains of tents destroyed by the GOF on January 21, 2015. Further, he saw leaves suspiciously piled at a site approximately 50 to 100 meters (164 to 328 feet) from the campsite, and it looked as if the leaves had been used to cover up the ground. He said he did not inspect the site but took note of the matter. He concluded that the site was used to hold “undocumented foreign migrants” before they were released or handed to someone or handed to a syndicate in Malaysia. The Commission noted that while the police concluded that the campsite was used for criminal purposes—namely, human trafficking; however, the authorities failed to change the classification of the cases of the 38 detained individuals from “undocumented foreign migrants” to victims of human trafficking. This is contrary to Malaysia’s obligations under international human rights standards, which call for the protection of victims of human trafficking from prosecution for immigration-related offenses. 236 Repot Polis KAKIBUKIT/000089/15.