Saifuddin: Cross-border cooperation needed to fight transnational crime

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail emphasized the need for stronger cross-border cooperation between governments and enforcement agencies to effectively combat transnational crime. Speaking at the 2026 Conference of the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, China, Saifuddin highlighted that criminals now operate across multiple jurisdictions, requiring nations to enhance information sharing, operational coordination, and joint action.

He provided an example of a recent arrest of a Malaysian co-pilot suspected of smuggling RM45 million worth of drugs, which involved joint action with Indonesian authorities, leading to the arrest of six syndicate members across Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Saifuddin stressed that security threats are increasingly complex, including violence, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, narcotics, cybercrime, online scams, and money laundering, all of which are facilitated by cross-border networks, financial systems, and digital infrastructure.

He further noted the use of advanced technologies like AI, encrypted communications, and cryptocurrencies by criminals to conceal their identities and transfer illicit funds. Malaysia has been strengthening cooperation with China through the Agreement on Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Transnational Crime since June 2024, which provides a foundation for joint actions including information sharing and operational coordination.

The Home Minister also highlighted Malaysia's leadership in Asean initiatives to combat transnational crime, including the Asean Plan of Action in Combating Transnational Crime 2026–2035 and the Melaka Declaration on Combatting Transnational Crime, emphasizing the urgent need for regional cooperation in addressing these global security challenges.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.