MELAKA, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- The 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) continued today with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail chairing the high-level discussions on efforts to combat cross-border crime.
Saifuddin Nasution arrived at the meeting venue at about 8.30 am, accompanied by Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman.
The meeting was attended by ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn and representatives from ASEAN countries.
Chaired by Saifuddin Nasution, the meeting was also attended by ASEAN+3 dialogue partners - China, Japan and South Korea - to further bolster regional cooperation.
Today's discussions will focus on strengthening the fight against people smuggling and human trafficking with stronger cross-border investigations, harmonised laws and coordinated enforcement.
The meeting also agreed to establish a Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Working Group on Money Laundering, aimed at cutting off the financial lifelines of organised crime.
The 19th AMMTC is also to finalise the SOMTC Work Programme 2026-2028 as an inclusive, technically strong plan owned by every ASEAN member state and to shape the ASEAN Plan of Action 2026-2035 to combat transnational crime, preparing for emerging threats like cyber fraud, online exploitation and artificial intelligence (AI) driven scams.
Melaka has become the regional hub this week as ASEAN ministers and senior officials in security and law enforcement convene from Sept 8 to 12 for the 19th AMMTC and Related Meetings.
The meetings are 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
