Kuala lumpur: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the declarations are outcomes of the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) held in Melaka from September 8 to 12. They complement the regional strategic plan that will guide ASEAN's direction over the next decade. Saifuddin emphasized that this ASEAN Summit serves as 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. This plan focuses on intelligence cooperation, strengthening justice systems, digital security, social resilience, and building enforcement capacity.
The three declarations include Malaysia's initiative, 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 declaration, proposed by Indonesia, is the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on the Use of Sports for Preventing Violent Extremism. This introduces a progressive approach to promote sports and youth development as tools to enhance resilience, foster unity, and prevent radicalization through positive community engagement.
Saifuddin Nasution stated that these three declarations form an essential foundation ahead of the ASEAN Summit. The commitments reached in Melaka will be translated into regional policies and action plans anchored in the ASEAN Plan of Action 2026-2035. He emphasized Malaysia's pride in hosting these strategic discussions, reflecting the country's diplomatic capability in leading complex negotiations and its commitment to making ASEAN a secure, inclusive, and resilient region.
The 47th ASEAN Summit, themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' will be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28, with participation from all 10 leaders of ASEAN member states, along with dialogue partners including the United States, China, Japan, and India.