A new law in Malaysia would force women who travel abroad to carry letters from parents or employers to prove that they are traveling for legitimate business and not working as “mules”.

From the AFP:

The proposal comes as 119 Malaysians, 90 per cent of whom are women, have been imprisoned worldwide on drug-related charges with the majority believed to have been duped into transporting drugs, the New Sunday Times reported.

“I have submitted this proposal to the Cabinet and both the Foreign and Home Ministries feel this is necessary,” foreign minister Rais Yatim told the paper.

“Many of these women (who travel alone) leave the country on the pretext of work or attending courses and seminars,” he added.

“With this declaration, we will know for sure where and for what she is travelling overseas.”

Malaysians have become prime targets for syndicates wanting to smuggle drugs into the European Union, the paper said, because they do not require visas for short stays of up to 90 days or to transit in those countries.

It said the offences were also committed in various other nations including China, Singapore, India, Spain and Portugal.

The current listing of Malaysia’s Black Market is at $553 million.