There is a taste, a smell to freedom. You and I enjoy it. Many don’t. An estimated 20 to 27 million people are believed to live in slavery around the world. And many of these cases are happening in Malaysia. Lokesh Sapaliga, an Indian national’s horrifying experience in a Sarawak factory is the latest case of modern day slavery here. He managed to escape and secretly took pictures of the working and living conditions.

This story is shocking but it’s nothing new. Malaysia has an obligation to abide by the five out of eight core International Labor Organization’s conventions, which it has ratified. But prosecution for forced labour trafficking is rare. Between 2012 and August 2013, there were a total of 120 cases brought under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, but resulted only in 23 convictions.