Chapter 3 - Report of the Research and Policy Development Group The Commission recommended that the Government review the regulatory regime with a view to simplifying it. At the same time, the quality of housing, occupational safety of workers and rights of buyers must be protected by law. (iii) Lack of knowledge on housing policy It was highlighted that the level of awareness and knowledge with regard to housing rights and related policy is relatively low among the public. The Commission recommended that the public should be educated on the right to adequate housing to enable them to effectively defend it. The federal and state governments, together with civil society groups, should consider intensifying awareness campaigns on procedures and criteria in the purchase of low-cost housing units. On its part, the Commission will undertake an in-depth study on the status of the right to adequate, affordable and habitable housing, particularly among groups like persons with disabilities, the elderly and single mothers. 3. ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (a) Briefing on the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on Malaysia On 14 September, the Commission invited representatives of the US Embassy to present a briefing on the US TIP Report 2012 on Malaysia, which had been released on 19 June by the US Department of State. The embassy was represented by Mr Jeffrey Rathke, Counsellor for Political Affairs; Mr Benjamin Ford, Political Officer (Human Rights); and Mr Ravindran Manickam, Senior Associate. A discussion of pertinent issues followed. (i) Malaysia’s ranking Malaysia was placed, for the third consecutive year, in the Tier 2 Watch List because the Government has not fully complied with minimum standards under the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) and has not made any significant effort to do so.9 The Commission was informed that a country cannot remain on the Tier 2 Watch List for more than two consecutive years.10 However, Malaysia was granted a waiver in 2012 because the Government had produced an action plan through the Council of Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO), which the US State Department took into consideration. 9 The State Department places each country in one of three tiers based on the extent of the government’s efforts to comply with the ‘minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking’ as described in the TVPA. Malaysia was placed on the Tier 2 Watch List in 2010 and 2011. 10 97