Focusing on Malaysia, this paper discusses how human insecurity has led to human trafficking, which in turn constitutes a threat to every state’s national security. The paper discusses the concept of human security, and in that context discusses the magnitude of the trafficking problem today, and its implications for Malaysia’s security in general. The paper concludes that in planning for security it is crucial to include the protection of the individual inhabitants of a country, in addition to the protection of the state itself--recognizing that the people’s survival and well-being is essential to the health and survival of the nation.  Publication: 4th International Malaysian Studies Conference; 3-5 August 2004, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi.  Author: Zarina Othman.