MELAKA (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Brunei Darussalam has called on countries of origin to play a stronger role in preventing human trafficking, following its first conviction under the nation’s Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons Order.
Deputy Minister (Security and Law) at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Awang Sufian Sabtu said this in his country statement during the 19th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (19th AMMTC) held in Melaka on September 10-11. Brunei’s delegation was also represented by senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Immigration and National Registration Department.
The Deputy Minister highlighted a labour trafficking case involving a Bangladeshi national convicted on August 11, 2025, for deceptively recruiting six compatriots for forced labour.
“The efforts undertaken by the receiving country alone are not enough to combat TIP,” he said. “Countries of origin also need to play their part by having screening procedures to ensure that their citizens will not fall victim to labour trafficking.”
He also drew attention to the rising trend of cybercrime in Brunei, including online scams and the increasing use of technologies such as artificial intelligence as tools for criminal activity.
The 19th AMMTC, hosted by Malaysia and officiated by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, provided a platform for Asean ministers and senior officials to discuss transnational crime, share best practices, and coordinate regional responses.
Consultations were also held with Asean Dialogue Partners, including China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, reinforcing Brunei’s commitment to regional cooperation in security, law enforcement, and cybercrime prevention.
Among the key outcomes of the meeting were the adoption of 13 documents, including the Asean Plan of Action on Combating Transnational Crime (2026–2035), the Melaka Declaration on Combating Transnational Crime, and the Asean Declarations on Countering People Smuggling and Cybercrime.
Brunei’s participation underscores its proactive approach to tackling human trafficking and cybercrime, while emphasising the need for collaboration between sending and receiving countries to protect vulnerable populations. -- Borneo Bulletin/ANN
