A Reuters report last week that Malaysia is set to receive an upgrade in this year’s US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report has sparked outrage. The upgrade would allow Malaysia to participate in the newly fast-tracked Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. After a spate of poorly handled human trafficking incidents, is this a sign that the US’ trade interests trump its human rights agenda? We explore whether Malaysia done enough to justify an upgrade or if there are greater political forces at play.

This is a report by Daniel Subramaniam.