Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is committed to leading ASEAN in addressing various forms of cross-border crime, including online fraud, human trafficking, and money laundering, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He emphasized Malaysia’s role as the Chairman of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) this year, positioning the country as both a facilitator and leader in regional crime-fighting efforts.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia will chair the AMMTC and SOMTC, providing the primary platform to tackle crimes like human trafficking, drug-related offences, and cybercrime. Dr Ahmad Zahid expressed a vision for a safer and more prepared ASEAN, ready to address crime and regional issues. He highlighted the growing threat of online scams, which endanger both economic stability and social security within ASEAN countries.

“Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, resulting in billions of dollars in losses, human exploitation, and instability in foreign investment across ASEAN,” Dr Ahmad Zahid said. He noted Malaysia’s efforts to develop a long-term strategy ensuring all ASEAN member states are aligned in combating crime threats. This strategy will be implemented as Malaysia spearheads the development of the ASEAN Plan of Action in Combating Transnational Crime and the SOMTC Work Programme.

Dr Ahmad Zahid stressed the importance of a flexible approach in dealing with threats to regional stability, acknowledging that while ASEAN upholds the principle of non-interference, it cannot remain passive in the face of crises or unchecked cybercrime. Malaysia officially assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship on January 1 this year, marking the fifth time it has held the position, following its previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.