MELAKA, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Online crime is among the key issues highlighted at the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) preparatory session, which took place here today.
Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman said findings related to the growing threat of online fraud will be presented at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) tomorrow.
“There are many crimes we are dealing with now, especially those involving online scams.
“For now, our main focus is on online fraud as well as human smuggling in and out of Malaysia. These are our key priorities,” he told Bernama today.
He said the AMMTC will serve as the best platform to streamline draft outcomes, ensuring that the region’s anti-crime agenda moves forward strategically without being constrained by technicalities.
“In other words, this preparatory SOMTC is the ‘last mile preparation’ to ensure that AMMTC proceeds smoothly and productively,” Awang Alik said.
He said SOMTC also focused on two main areas: reviewing and closing the implementation of existing frameworks, and finalising the ASEAN Plan of Action on Combating Transnational Crime 2026-2035, which will guide ASEAN’s efforts over the next decade.
Awang Alik further highlighted agenda items involving external partners such as China and Japan under the SOMTC+3 framework, including preparations for the 15th AMMTC+3 Consultation, including discussions covering the provisional agenda, joint statements and programme activities.
This also involves reviewing the draft ASEAN-China Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Combating Transnational Crime, he added.
“As host nation, Malaysia hopes this SOMTC can ensure that the 19th AMMTC produces strong documents and concrete outcomes,” Awang Alik said.
The 19th AMMTC and related meetings are being held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, themed ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, reflecting the nation’s commitment to building a safer and more prosperous ASEAN community.
-- BERNAMA
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