Preparatory SOMTC Meeting Finalises Melaka Declaration, Roadmap For 19th AMMTC

MELAKA, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- The Melaka Declaration on Combating Transnational Crime is among the landmark documents finalised at the Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC), chaired by the Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, today.

The ministry, in a statement, said the Preparatory SOMTC Meeting served as the official preparatory session at the senior officials’ level before the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and its related consultations.

“Its primary purpose is to ensure that all draft declarations, joint statements and meeting agendas are agreed upon at the senior officials’ level prior to being presented for consideration by the ministers.

“This meeting functions as the final preparation to review all technical and substantive issues, so that the ministerial-level discussions can proceed smoothly, in an orderly manner and produce conclusive outcomes,” it said.

The SOMTC was held in conjunction with the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime and Related Meetings, which began yesterday until Sept 12.

The session also paved the way for the endorsement of a new ten-year action plan, the ASEAN Plan of Action in Combating Transnational Crime (2026-2035).

Among other key initiatives finalised are the establishment of the SOMTC Working Group on Money Laundering and the adoption of the ASEAN Border Management Cooperation Roadmap, alongside the Melaka Declaration on Combating Transnational Crime.

At the AMMTC, ASEAN ministers are expected to endorse several ASEAN Leaders’ Declarations covering cross-border law enforcement, money laundering prevention, as well as creative initiatives through sports activities to curb extremism.

On Sept 4, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail described the AMMTC as more than just a series of meetings but a strategic platform that brings together ministers to discuss, coordinate and strengthen regional cooperation in combating increasingly complex cross-border criminal activities.

The 19th AMMTC and related meetings are being held in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, reflecting the country’s commitment to building a safer and more prosperous ASEAN community.

-- BERNAMA