Malaysia, China to strengthen security cooperation through joint working group

Malaysia and China are collaborating to enhance security cooperation via an operational framework centered on intelligence sharing, joint anti-narcotics initiatives, and combating transnational crime, as announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail during a courtesy call with China's Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong.

The minister expressed confidence that this mechanism would bolster cooperation in intelligence exchange, capacity building, and joint efforts to address contemporary security challenges including transnational crime, cybersecurity threats, and border management. Saifuddin highlighted the success of intelligence sharing between China's National Narcotics Control Commission and the Royal Malaysia Police, which led to the seizure of over 1.03 tonnes of fentanyl citrate in Operations Black Ash and Blackwood.

To institutionalize these achievements, Malaysia proposes establishing a dedicated Joint Working Group Meeting between the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department and Chinese drug enforcement officials. Regarding extradition treaty negotiations, Saifuddin reiterated Malaysia's commitment to finalizing the agreement with China, following initial discussions in 2018, emphasizing the treaty's importance in legal and judicial cooperation.