ASEAN Summit: Malaysia To Present Three Declarations On Combatting Transnational Crime
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will present three key declarations to strengthen regional efforts in combating transnational crime at the 47th ASEAN Summit this weekend, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the declarations, which were outcomes of the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) held in Melaka from Sept 8 to 12, complement the regional strategic plan that will guide ASEAN’s direction over the next decade.
“This ASEAN Summit is not merely a continuation but a vital bridge to ensure that the outcomes of the AMMTC in Melaka are translated into concrete policies at the ASEAN leadership level.
“The 19th AMMTC agreed to adopt the ASEAN Plan of Action in Combatting Transnational Crime (2026-2035), a long-term strategic framework that serves as the main umbrella for the region’s efforts in addressing cross-border crime,” he said in a Facebook post today.
He said the plan focuses on intelligence cooperation, strengthening justice systems, digital security, social resilience and building enforcement capacity.
The three declarations include Malaysia’s initiative, namely the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Combatting Money Laundering, which reaffirms the region’s commitment to strengthening financial integrity through tighter regulations, improved intelligence sharing and enhanced inter-agency cooperation.
The second declaration, proposed by Vietnam, is the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Enhancing Cooperation in Locating and Arresting Criminal Fugitives, which calls for regional collaboration in tracking, arresting and repatriating offenders through information sharing, coordinated operations and stronger extradition arrangements.
The third, proposed by Indonesia, is the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the Use of Sports for Preventing Violent Extremism, which introduces a progressive approach to promote sports and youth development as tools to enhance resilience, foster unity and prevent radicalisation through positive community engagement.
Saifuddin Nasution said the three declarations form an essential foundation ahead of the ASEAN Summit, as the commitments reached in Melaka will be translated into regional policies and action plans anchored in the ASEAN Plan of Action 2026-2035.
“Malaysia is proud to have hosted these strategic discussions, which reflect our diplomatic capability in leading complex negotiations and our commitment to making ASEAN a secure, inclusive and resilient region.
“This is the spirit of Malaysia MADANI that we bring to the ASEAN stage -- building a peaceful, progressive and human-centred region,” he said.
The 47th ASEAN Summit, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will be held in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26 to 28, with the participation of all 10 leaders of ASEAN member states along with dialogue partners including the United States, China, Japan and India.
-- BERNAMA
