Malaysia, Pakistan cadang meterai MoU banteras dadah, kukuh keselataman

Menteri Dalam Negeri Malaysia, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, revealed that discussions regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) against narcotics took place during his visit to Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) headquarters in Islamabad the previous day. The MoU aims to provide a more structured framework to strengthen existing cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan in combating drug-related threats.

During his visit, Saifuddin received training from ANF Chief Executive Officer Abdul Moeed. He emphasized that the drug threat has become more complex, particularly with the rise of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and the involvement of sophisticated transnational criminal gangs operating across borders. "Pakistan's direct confrontation with drug trafficking from Afghanistan makes cooperation with this country crucial for Malaysia, especially as smuggling routes also extend to Southeast and South Asia," Saifuddin stated via a Facebook post after his two-day official visit to Islamabad.

The minister highlighted that in dealing with sophisticated criminal networks, cooperation between security agencies cannot be confined to mere paperwork. Information sharing, translating risks into action, and leveraging international networks to disrupt supply chains are essential. Malaysia and Pakistan have a strong operational base for cooperation, with more than 28 joint operations carried out together from 2012 to 2018.

The focus now is to revitalize this cooperation through more active risk-sharing operations, risk-based joint operations, training, and exchange of expertise between the two agencies. Saifuddin also met with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who witnessed the discussion on regional and international developments, the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing geopolitical and economic challenges, and the need to strengthen cooperation among Islamic nations to face current geopolitical and economic challenges.

The talks focused on economic cooperation, such as trade and investment, food security, including potential rice and meat supplies from Pakistan, market access, and expanding people-to-people ties through visa facilitation. Saifuddin shared the outcomes of the meeting with his counterpart, Pakistan's Minister of Home Affairs and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, including the agreement to establish a Joint Working Group to discuss security, narcotics control, and police training, as well as the signing of the Bilateral Transfer of Persons Agreement between the two nations.

The delegation also visited Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to learn about the country's national identity and public registration ecosystem. Saifuddin received a briefing from Nadra's Chairperson, Muhammad Munir Afsar, on identity and citizen management systems, biometrics, technology in public service delivery, passport management, digital identity, and support for law enforcement.

The minister noted that this exchange of knowledge opened up opportunities for cooperation and knowledge sharing in digital identity solutions, e-Government, crisis management, and cybersecurity. He believes that this experience will be highly beneficial for Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs as they explore the use of technology to strengthen security and preparedness systems, in line with the efforts of the Madani Government to ensure digital transformation of the public sector, directly benefiting the people.