SYDNEY: Brunei reaffirmed its policy of maintaining friendly relations with all nations as a means to preserve peace and security in the region during the sixth Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (SRM) held Tuesday (Sept 23) in Sydney, Australia, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Leading the delegation, Deputy Minister (Security and Law) at the PMO Datuk Seri Paduka Sufian Sabtu underscored the importance of regional cooperation to address pressing security challenges, particularly terrorism and violent extremism.
Brunei, together with Thailand, will assume the Co-Chairmanship of the Senior Officials’ Counter-Terrorism Policy Forum under the SRM this year.
The meeting, chaired by Australia’s Minister of Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security Tony Burke, gathered ministers and senior officials from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand to discuss threats ranging from terrorism and cyber security to transnational crime.
During the meeting, the Deputy Minister also highlighted Brunei’s recent success in combating transnational crime. He cited the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)’s participation in a multinational operation with timely intelligence cooperation from Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and other partners, which resulted in the seizure of 110 kilogrammes of illicit drugs, including 49 kilogrammes in Brunei.
He expressed appreciation to all participating countries for their role in the operation, describing the achievement as a testament to the strong commitment of relevant agencies, particularly the Narcotics Control Bureau, in upholding the country’s “zero-tolerance approach” against drugs..
On the sidelines of the SRM, Brunei and Australia held a bilateral meeting where both sides expressed satisfaction with their longstanding cooperation in security and other areas. Discussions also touched on strengthening collaboration in matters of mutual concern, including border and maritime security. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
